Amount and focus of physical therapy and occupational therapy for young children with cerebral palsy

Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2012 Nov;32(4):368-82. doi: 10.3109/01942638.2012.715620. Epub 2012 Sep 7.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to describe physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services for a cohort of 399 children with cerebral palsy (CP), 2-6 years old, residing in the United States and Canada. Parents completed a services questionnaire by telephone interview. Therapists classified children's Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. Mean minutes per month of PT and OT were greater for children receiving services in both an educational and clinic setting. Mean minutes per month of PT and OT were greater for children in levels IV-V than children in level I and greater for children in the United States than children in Canada. Parents reported that interventions focused a moderate to great extent on primary impairments, secondary impairments, activity, and structured play activities, a moderate extent on environmental modifications and equipment; and a moderate to small extent on self-care routines. The results support the importance of coordination of PT and OT services.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Canada
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Occupational Therapy / methods*
  • Parents
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States