Active upper-limb therapies for hand function, individual goal achievement, and self-care in children with cerebral palsy: A network meta-analysis.

Aim: To compare active upper-limb therapies for children with cerebral palsy using a network meta-analysis.

Method: For this systematic review, five electronic databases were searched up to 2nd September 2024. Outcomes pertaining to improved hand use (Assisting Hand Assessment, AHA), goal attainment (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM), and self-care were analysed with therapies classified into 15 discrete categories.

Brain lesion extent, growth, and body composition in children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between growth, body composition, and the extent of brain lesion measured using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: This prospective population-based cohort study recorded 359 assessments from 124 children with CP aged 18 months to 13 years (38% female, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I = 50, II = 24, III = 17, IV = 12, and V = 21). A neurologist assessed the extent of the brain lesion using a validated semi-quantitative scale (global, basal ganglia/brainstem, hemispheric and corpus callosum scores).

A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Training Including Lower Extremity for Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: To test the efficacy of Hand Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremity (HABIT-ILE) to improve gross motor function, manual ability, goal performance, walking endurance, mobility, and self-care for children with bilateral cerebral palsy.

Study Design: This prospective, waitlist randomized controlled trial included children with bilateral cerebral palsy, aged 6-to-16-years and classified Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II to IV. HABIT-ILE delivered for 2 weeks (65 hours) was compared with usual care.

Active Start Active Future: Feasibility of a Behaviour-Change Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Promote Physical Activity in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have low physical activity (PA) and high sedentary behavior. The aim was to trial a participation-focused behavior-change intervention to increase PA and decrease sedentary behavior.

Methods: Twelve children with CP were recruited (mean age 5 years 6 months ± 1 year 2 months, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels  = 1, II = 1, III = 1, IV = 4, V = 5); eight with complete post-intervention data (mean 5 years 10 months ± 1 year 4 months, GMFCS  = 1, III = 1, IV = 4, V = 2).

Study protocol for Active Start Active Future: a randomised control trial of an early behaviour-change intervention targeting physical activity participation and sedentary behaviour in young children with cerebral palsy living in South East Queensland, Australia.

Introduction: The benefits of physical activity (PA) are compelling for all ages and abilities. For children with cerebral palsy (CP), two distinct health behaviours, being physically active and reducing sedentary time, are critical to target as an early intervention to reduce long-term morbidity. One approach may be to increase PA participation by empowering parents who are key to making family lifestyle changes.

Key elements of Goal-Directed Training for children with cerebral palsy: A qualitative content analysis.

Background: Goal-directed training is an evidence-based occupational therapy intervention for children with cerebral palsy targeting motor performance and goal attainment. There is variability and limited description on goal-directed training delivery within the studies who found it a successful intervention. The aim of this study was to establish the who, what, why and how of goal directed training according to practicing occupational therapists.

Study protocol for the Australasian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network (AusCP MSK) prospective cohort study: early detection of musculoskeletal complications in young children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (GMFCS III-V).

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood, affecting movement and posture, resulting from a neurological insult during pregnancy or the neonatal period. While the brain lesion is static, the musculoskeletal sequelae in CP are often progressive and lifelong, associated with pain and can impact the lives of children with CP, their families and the healthcare system. The Australasian Cerebral Palsy Musculoskeletal Health Network (AusCP MSK) study will conduct comprehensive, population-based surveillance of children with moderate to severe functional mobility limitations (Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V) to explore the early biomarkers of, and interactions between, musculoskeletal complications related to CP, including hip displacement, scoliosis and skeletal fragility.

Telehealth Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) for adolescents with acquired and congenital brain injuries: a protocol for mixed-methods randomised trial.

Introduction: For adolescents with brain injury, challenges with social function often persist into adulthood, impacting social participation and quality of life. The Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a manualised group-based intervention with preliminary evidence demonstrating improved social knowledge and participation for adolescents with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy when delivered face to face. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and challenges for families living outside metropolitan centres to access the programme suggest a telehealth delivered PEERS should be explored.

Early developmental trajectories of the impaired hand in infants with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Aim: To identify developmental trajectories of impaired hand function in infants aged 3 to 15 months with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Sixty-three infants (37 male; median gestational age 37 weeks [interquartile range 30-39.1 weeks]) recruited as part of a randomized trial with a confirmed diagnosis of unilateral CP were included.

Investigating a caregiver-assisted social skills group programme for primary and early high school-aged children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy: protocol for a pilot mixed-methods, two-group randomised trial of PEERS Plus.

Introduction: Reaching social milestones is an important goal of childhood. Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and cerebral palsy (CP) frequently experience challenges with social functioning and participation. The Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a group-based social skills programme for adolescents.

Clinical utility and psychometric properties of tools for early detection of developmental concerns and disability in young children: A scoping review.

Aim: To explore the clinical utility and psychometric properties of standardized tools for the early detection of developmental concerns or disability in young children.

Method: Systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines containing psychometric data on tools appropriate for use with children from birth to 5 years 11 months were searched for in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO for the years 2000 to 2023, with no language restrictions.

Results: Eighty-six systematic reviews and six clinical practice guidelines guided identification of tools.

Efficacy and threshold dose of intensive training targeting mobility for children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To systematically review the evidence for intensive mobility training in cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the minimum effective dose to improve mobility.

Method: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that included participants with CP, and which used intensive task-oriented training (TOT) mobility interventions and reported mobility outcomes, were included. Five databases were searched; two independent reviewers selected studies and extracted data.

A systematic review of the efficacy of group social skills interventions on social functioning and social participation in children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Group social skills interventions (GSSIs) versus any comparator on social functioning in children aged 5-12 years with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy.

Background: GSSIs are an evidence-based approach to foster social skills development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Currently, limited literature exploring GSSIs in children with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy is available.

Sleep problems in a population-based cohort of primary school age children with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: To examine sleep problems in a population-based sample of school-aged children (8-12yo) with Cerebral Palsy (CP) METHOD: Eighty-six children (mean 9 years, 5 months, SD = 1 year, 6 months; male = 60) with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System; GMFCS I=46; II=21; III=9; IV=6; V=6) participated. Classifications/assessments included: Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Cerebral Palsy- Quality of Life (CP-QOL) Pain Impact subscale. Analysis included linear and logistic regression.

Participate CP 2: optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy - protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate less in physical activities and have increased sedentary behaviour compared with typically developing peers. Participate CP is a participation-focused therapy intervention for children with CP with demonstrated efficacy in a phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) to increase perceived performance of physical activity participation goals. This study will test the effectiveness of Participate CP in a multisite phase III RCT.

Fidelity of Delivery in a Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial of Intervention Efficacy for Infants With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To investigate the reliability of a measure of fidelity of therapist delivery, quantify fidelity of delivery, and determine factors impacting fidelity in the Rehabilitation EArly for Congenital Hemiplegia (REACH) clinical trial.

Methods: Ninety-five infants (aged 3-9 months) with unilateral cerebral palsy participated in the REACH clinical trial. The Therapist Fidelity Checklist (TFC) evaluated key intervention components.

Effect of Active Motor Learning Interventions on Gross Motor Function and Mobility in Children Aged 2 to 6 Years With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify evidence-based interventions to promote active motor learning in children aged 2 to 6 years with bilateral cerebral palsy.

Summary Of Key Points: Seven randomized clinical trials of active motor learning interventions targeting gross motor function and mobility were included. Two studies compared context-focused therapy to child-focused therapy.

Construct Validity of the Both Hands Assessment Using Wrist-Worn Accelerometers.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the construct validity of the Both Hands Assessment (BoHA) using activity of the upper limbs as detected by accelerometry in children with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Observational study of children with CP ( = 44,  = 27 boys, aged 9.1 ± 1.

ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy.

Introduction: For children with cerebral palsy (CP), who are marginally ambulant, gross motor capacity peaks between 6 and 7 years of age with a subsequent clinical decline, impacting their ability to engage in physical activity. Active Strides-CP is a novel package of physiotherapy targeting body functions, activity and participation outcomes for children with bilateral CP. This study will compare Active Strides-CP to usual care in a multisite randomised waitlist-controlled trial.

andomised to early neuroprotection and neurorehabilitation: protocol for a follow-up study of participants from four randomised clinical trials.

Introduction: School readiness includes cognitive, socio-emotional, language and physical growth and development domains which share strong associations with life-course opportunities. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at increased risk of poor school readiness compared with their typically developing peers. Recently, earlier diagnosis of CP has allowed interventions to commence sooner, harnessing neuroplasticity.

Exploring caregiver and participant experiences of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) for youth with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study explored the experience of adolescents with brain injuries and their caregivers who participated in the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) in Australia.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-seven adolescents and 31 caregivers, who completed the PEERS intervention as part of an RCT, contributed to focus groups following the 14-week program. Semi-structed interviews guided focus groups.

Development of social functioning in children with cerebral palsy: A longitudinal study.

Aim: To describe the development of social function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) classified in all levels of the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS).

Method: This prospective, longitudinal population-based cohort study recruited children with CP born in Queensland, Australia. Social functioning was measured using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) social function domain at 2 years, 2 years 6 months, 3 years, 4 years, and 5 years, and the PEDI Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT) social/cognitive domain at 8 to 12 years.