Physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children with cerebral palsy

• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14325
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29T06:24:19Z
• Authors: Sarah Westcott McCoy; Robert Palisano; Lisa Avery; Lynn Jeffries; Alyssa Laforme Fiss; Lisa Chiarello; Steve Hanna
• Keywords: Gross motor skill

Aim To explore the relationship between rehabilitation therapies and development in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study involving 656 CP (mean age [SD] 6y [2y 8mo] at entry; 1y 6mo–11y 11mo; 287 females, 369 males), their parents. Children were assessed two to five times over 2 years by therapists using standardized measures of balance walking endurance. Parents completed questionnaires on demographics, therapies, children’s performance self‐care participation recreation. Therapists parents collaboratively classified Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. created graphs for each GMFCS level, depicting change across time centiles. Using multinomial models, we analyzed (amount, focus, family‐centeredness, extent met needs) whether balance, endurance, was ‘more than’ ‘less reference ‘as expected’. Results more likely progress than expected’ when participating recreation family‐centered, needs, focused structured play/recreation. A focus health well‐being positively associated self‐care. The amount therapy did not predict outcomes. Interpretation Therapy services that are consider needs child, play/recreational activities health/well‐being may enhance CP. What this paper adds Family‐centered greater family/recreation Parental perception activities. Structured play, recreational activities, important planning therapy. related developmental