Can Respiratory Hospital Admissions in Children with Cerebral Palsy Be Reduced? A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial (RESP-ACT).

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of implementing recommendations of the consensus statement for the Prevention and Management of Respiratory Disease in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) via RESPiratory hospital Admissions in children with cerebral palsy: a feasibility randomized Controlled Trial (RESP-ACT).

Study Design: Twenty-two children with CP aged 0-12 years at risk of respiratory disease and receiving care through Perth Children's Hospital in Western Australia were randomized into parallel groups. The control group (n = 10) continued with their usual teams, while the intervention group (n = 12) received a comprehensive assessment followed by individualized investigations and appointments as needed. The primary outcomes include implementation, acceptability, practicality, and measuring efficacy. During the following year, with the help of a blind assessor, caregivers reported their children's health service use on a fortnightly basis. Caregivers and treating clinicians were interviewed at the end of the trial.

Results: Complete data were obtained from 73% of participants at 1 year. They completed 89% of the fortnightly surveys. Hospital service data were assessed for all. The 9 intervention participants interviewed at the end of the trial were satisfied or very satisfied with the service, and all caregivers and clinicians agreed or strongly agreed that such a service should be established. Their practical concerns included managing time, preference for home-based interventions and adequate staffing.

Conclusions: The service is feasible to implement but requires close monitoring. This trial provides data on which to base a larger randomized control trial.

Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry-Registration number 12620000114943.