Play and Be Happy? Leisure Participation and Quality of Life in School-Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy

The objective of this study was to examine the association between leisure participation and quality of life (QoL) in school-age children with cerebral palsy (CP). Leisure participation was assessed using the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and QoL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the association between CAPE and PedsQL scores, and a multiple linear regression model was used to estimate QoL predictors. Sixty-three children (mean age 9.7±2.1 years; 39 male) in GMFCS levels I–V were included. Intensity of participation in active-physical activities was significantly correlated with both physical (r=0.34, P=0.007) and psychosocial well-being (r=0.31, P=0.01). Intensity and diversity of participation in skill-based activities were negatively correlated with physical well-being (r=−0.39, P=0.001, and r=−0.41, P=0.001, resp.). Diversity and intensity of participation accounted for 32% (P=0.002) of the variance for physical well-being and 48% (P<0.001) when age and gross motor functioning were added. Meaningful and adapted leisure activities appropriate to the child’s skills and preferences may foster QoL

The development of a steadiness tester for the upper extremity in children of school age /

Currently there is no standardized assessment for the evaluation of upper extremity steadiness in children. The objective of this study was to obtain preliminary psychometric properties of a clinical tool to assess steadiness in the upper extremity in children aged six to ten years. One hundred twenty-two healthy children were recruited from regular schools. Children were instructed to hold a stylus in a steady position in a small circular opening for fifteen seconds, in supported and unsupported positions, using the dominant and non dominant hand. The number of times the stylus touched the metal grid was automatically recorded. Normative data were established and confounders such as age, gender and handedness were considered. Results of inter rater and test retest reliability analyses varied from fair to good. Thirteen children with postural tremor were similarly tested and scores of healthy subjects and children with tremor were compared. Scores effectively discriminated between the healthy and tremor groups. The steadiness tester may be a useful diagnostic tool for children with movement difficulties affecting fine motor control

Participation and enjoyment of leisure activities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy

The objective of this study was to characterize participation in leisure activities in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify determinants of greater involvement. Ninety-five children of school age (9y 7mo [SD 2y 1mo]) with CP were recruited, and participation was evaluated with the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment in a subset (67/95; 42 males, 25 females) who could actively participate in completion of the assessment. Most had mild motor dysfunction (Gross Motor Function Classification System: 59% level I, 23% level II, 18% levels III–V) and had a spastic subtype of CP (23 hemiplegia, 17 diplegia, 16 quadriplegia, 11 other). Biomedical, child, family and environmental predictor variables were considered in the analysis. Results demonstrated that these children were actively involved in a wide range of leisure activities and experienced a high level of enjoyment. However, involvement was lower in skill-based and active physical activities as well as community-based activities. Mastery motivation and involvement in rehabilitation services enhanced involvement (intensity and diversity) in particular leisure activities, whereas cognitive and behavioral difficulties, activity limitations, and parental stress were obstacles to participation

Dynamic safety assessment of natural gas stations using Bayesian network

Pipelines are one of the most popular and effective ways of transporting hazardous materials, especially natural gas. However, the rapid development of gas pipelines and stations in urban areas has introduced a serious threat to public safety and assets. Although different methods have been developed for risk analysis of gas transportation systems, a comprehensive methodology for risk analysis is still lacking, especially in natural gas stations. The present work is aimed at developing a dynamic and comprehensive quantitative risk analysis (DCQRA) approach for accident scenario and risk modeling of natural gas stations. In this approach, a FMEA is used for hazard analysis while a Bow-tie diagram and Bayesian network are employed to model the worst-case accident scenario and to assess the risks. The results have indicated that the failure of the regulator system was the worst-case accident scenario with the human error as the most contributing factor. Thus, in risk management plan of natural gas stations, priority should be given to the most probable root events and main contribution factors, which have identified in the present study, in order to reduce the occurrence probability of the accident scenarios and thus alleviate the risks.Safety and Security Scienc