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Occupational therapy home programs for cerebral palsy: double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Iona Novak1, Anne Cusick, Natasha Lannin
1Cerebral Palsy Institute, School of Medicine Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia. inovak@tscnsw.org.au
Pediatrics
|September 23, 2009
Summary
Occupational therapy home programs (OTHP) significantly improved function and parent satisfaction in children with cerebral palsy. Consistent implementation by parents at home proved clinically effective for enhancing child outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy interventions
- Childhood disability research
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects school-aged children's function and participation.
- Occupational therapy home programs (OTHP) are a potential intervention to improve outcomes.
- Effectiveness of OTHP in CP requires rigorous evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of OTHP compared to no OTHP in school-aged children with CP.
- To evaluate OTHP's impact on child function, parent satisfaction, participation, goal attainment, and upper limb skill quality.
Main Methods:
- 36 children with CP were randomized to 8-week OTHP, 4-week OTHP, or no OTHP.
- Primary outcome: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure scores at 8 weeks.
- Secondary outcomes measured at 4 and 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- Eight weeks of OTHP led to significant improvements in function and parent satisfaction compared to no OTHP.
- Parents in the 4-week group continued OTHP for 8 weeks, also showing significant benefits.
- No significant differences were found between the 4-week and 8-week OTHP groups.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapy home programs (OTHP) are clinically effective for children with cerebral palsy when implemented collaboratively and evidence-based.
- Parent-led home implementation, averaging 17.5 sessions/month for 16.5 minutes/session, demonstrated effectiveness.
- Pediatricians can recommend OTHPs as a valuable home-based intervention for children with CP.
