Longitudinal Changes in Physical Caregiving for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: To determine changes in physical caregiving for parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) over a two-year period based on children’s gross motor function level and age. Methods: 153 parents of children with CP rated their physical caregiving using the Ease of Caregiving for Children three times over two years. Parents and assessors classified children’s gross motor function using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Physical caregiving was compared at three test times among parents of children grouped by GMFCS level (I, II–III, and IV–V) and age (1.7–5.9 and 6–11 years) using a three-way mixed ANOVA. Results: Among all analyses, a two-way interaction was found between children’s GMFCS level and test time on ease of caregiving, p \u3c 0.01. Change over two-year period was found for parents of children in level I and II–III, p \u3c 0.01, but not parents of children in levels IV–V. At each test time, parents of children in level I reported the greatest ease of caregiving followed by parents of children in levels II–III, and levels IV–V, who reported the lowest ease of caregiving, p \u3c 0.001. Conclusions: Findings support evaluation and monitoring of physical caregiving for parents of children with CP over time

Campbell s : physical therapy for children, 5th ed./ Palisano

xv, p. 822: ill.; tab.; 29 c

Leisure participation-preference congruence of children with cerebral palsy in Canada and Australia : A CAPE International Network descriptive study

Background: Knowledge of whether children with cerebral palsy (CP) are doing preferred leisure activities has important implications for families and rehabilitation professionals. We examined (a) participation-preference congruence; (b) regional differences in participation-preference congruence; and (c) predictors of whether children were participating in preferred activities. Methods: The sample (n=236) included 148 boys and 88 girls, 10 to 13 years, living in Victoria (n=110), Ontario (n=80) or Quebec (n=46); GMFCS Level 1: 99(41.9%); Level II/III: 89(37.7%); Level IV/V: 48(20.3%). Participants completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activity of Children. Regional comparisons were performed using one way ANOVAs and exploration of factors influencing participation-preference congruence using multiple linear regression. Results: Proportion of children Doing Non-Preferred activities in each Activity Type was generally low (2-17%); with only one regional difference. Higher proportions were Not Doing Preferred Active Physical (range: 23.2%-29.1% across regions), Skill-based (range: 21.7%-27.9% across regions) and Social activities (range: 12.8%-14.5% across regions). GMFCS level was the most important predictor associated with Not Doing Preferred activities. Interpretation: Children with CP did not always participate in preferred Active Physical and Skill-based activities. Understanding discrepancies between preferences and actual involvement may allow families and rehabilitation professionals to address participation barriers