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Enhancing Physically Active Leisure Participation for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Leanne Sakzewski1,2, Sarah Reedman3, Catherine Elliott4,5
1School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
Pediatrics
|July 9, 2026
Summary
A new therapy, Participate-CP, significantly improved physical activity and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This therapy reduced barriers and enhanced community involvement for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Childhood Disabilities
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts children's ability to participate in physical activities.
- Existing therapies may not adequately address participation barriers in children with CP.
- Improving physical activity and leisure participation is crucial for the well-being of children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a participation-focused therapy (Participate-CP) compared to usual care.
- To determine if Participate-CP enhances physical activity and leisure participation in children with CP.
- To assess the impact of Participate-CP on participation barriers and goal attainment.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multisite waitlist randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants included children aged 8-14 years with CP (GMFCS levels I-IV).
- Participate-CP involved weekly 60-minute sessions over 12 weeks, utilizing motivational interviewing and targeted strategies. Primary outcomes included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity duration.
Main Results:
- Participate-CP demonstrated significant improvements in perceived participation goal performance (COPM).
- Children receiving Participate-CP showed increased average movement intensity and frequency of community participation (PEM-CY).
- The intervention led to a reduction in barriers to participation and improved goal attainment (GAS).
Conclusions:
- Participate-CP is an effective intervention for enhancing physically active leisure and community participation in children with CP.
- The therapy successfully reduced participation barriers and improved physical activity levels.
- These findings support the integration of participation-focused approaches in pediatric rehabilitation for CP.
