Grant recipient: Dr Free (Frances) Coulston

Project title: The Circus Project: A physiotherapy-informed co-designed circus intervention for pre-schoolers born preterm

Year awarded: 2020

Grant: Seeding Grant

Grant amount: $10,000

Snapshot: Inspired by a background in gymnastics and circus, Free Coulston conducted a research study on children using a co-design approach to develop a circus intervention to improve participation and motor skills in pre-schoolers born preterm. 

The findings: Improvements in physical and social-emotional outcomes were reported as a result of circus activities across all studies. Five themes were developed from the mixed data: the crucial role of the coach and the need for specific training, the therapeutic role of physical activity and promoting outcomes beyond the physical, the impact of communication and class planning, consideration of convenience and cost, and finally, the role of clinicians. The next stage of Free’s research will involve expanding the project beyond circus arts to include other physical activities. 

Benefits to the profession: Clinicians treating children born preterm and/or with developmental delay can refer these children to programs that successfully build upon the therapy provided in-clinic. 

Read about the findings of Bernie’s study in InMotion (August 2021 and June 2024) and view the YouTube video produced by the PRF.