Posts by: Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana Fernandes, PhD

Joana brings more than 8 years of academic research and experience as well as Scientific writing and editing to her role as a Science and Research writer. She also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Coimbra, Portugal, where she also received her PhD in Health Science and Technologies, with a specialty in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

Cerebral Palsy Can Be Diagnosed as Early as 5 Months of Age with Right Tools, Researchers Say

News

Doctors usually diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) in children at 12 to 24 months of age, but a new study says they can be diagnosed as early as five months ... Read more

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017

Number of Kids with CP Estimated to Increase 7.5% in England and Wales by 2020, Researchers Say

News

The number of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in England and Wales is estimated to increase 7.5 percent by 2020, a new study shows. Researchers say these predictions may ... Read more

June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

Climbing May Be a Valuable Exercise for Children with Cerebral Palsy, Study Reports

News

Climbing exercises help children with cerebral palsy function better, according to a study in Denmark. Researchers said climbing strengthens the link between the brain and muscles, increasing children’s ability ... Read more

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017

Family Dog May Help CP Kids Improve Motor Skills and Quality of Life, Case Study Finds

News

Having a dog at home may encourage children with cerebral palsy (CP) or other disabilities engage in more daytime physical activity, a report finds. Researchers at Oregon State University reported the ... Read more

May 3, 2017May 3, 2017

Clowns Reduce Perception of Pain when Children with CP Receive Injection, Study Indicates

News

Having a clown around can help take some of the sting out of the injections that children with cerebral palsy (CP) receive, a study indicates. The research, “Clown-Care Reduces ... Read more

April 24, 2017April 24, 2017

New Glove Measuring Muscle Stiffness May Improve Diagnosis, Treatment of Cerebral Palsy

News

Researchers at the University of California San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital have developed a glove that uses robotic technology to accurately measure muscle stiffness during physical exams. This device ... Read more

April 5, 2017April 5, 2017

Study Links Increased Motor Impairment to Lower Health-Related Quality of Life in Preschool CP Kids

News

The more severe a cerebral palsy (CP) toddler’s motor impairment is, the worse that child’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be, according to a recent Taiwanese study. Motor impairment ... Read more

February 22, 2017February 22, 2017

Today’s Premature Babies More Likely to Survive and Have No Neurological Issues, Study Reports

News

Children born prematurely today are more likely to survive and have no neurodevelopmental impairment than in the past, according to a study. Researchers said this suggests that fewer pre-term ... Read more

February 21, 2017February 21, 2017

Aquatic Movement Therapy Seen to Stimulate Brain Activity and Improve Well-Being of CP Patients

News

Assisted aquatic movement therapy may improve the mental health and stimulate the brains of children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a new study. The study, “Effects ... Read more

February 20, 2017February 20, 2017

Serious Video Games May Improve Touch, Hand Sensitivity in CP Children

News

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may improve their touch and hand sensitivity by playing “serious video games,” according to a small study. More studies are necessary, however, to confirm ... Read more