A new cross-institutional study featuring Dr Silvia Liverani has found that the risk of developing depression is higher among people with cerebral palsy.
The research - led by the University of Surrey and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and funded by Brunel University - found that the risk of depression was 28 percent higher and the risk of anxiety was 40 percent higher among adults with cerebral palsy who have intellectual difficulties compared to those without the condition. Dr Silvia Liverani, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematical Sciences at Queen Mary, was also involved in the study.
“These findings support the need to consider cerebral palsy as a lifelong condition and to identify and address mental health problems among people with cerebral palsy alongside physical health problems,” said Dr Jennifer Ryan, study co-author and StAR Research Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
“Despite historically being considered a paediatric condition, the majority of with cerebral palsy live well into adulthood, and many adults with cerebral palsy experience a worsening of impairments, including a decline in mobility. We hope that the findings of the study will help accelerate a response to adults with cerebral palsy who report inadequate provision of coordinated health services worldwide.”
You can find out more about this story here.