Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine - Volume 14, issue 2

Authors: Zarkou, Anastasia | Lee, Samuel C.K. | Prosser, Laura | Hwang, Sungjae | Franklin, Corinna | Jeka, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate foot and ankle somatosensory function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Ten children with spastic diplegia (age 15 ± 5 y; GMFCS I–III) and 11 typically developing (TD) peers (age 15 ± 10 y) participated in the study. Light touch pressure and two-point discrimination were assessed on the plantar side of the foot by using a monofilament kit and an aesthesiometer, respectively. The duration of vibration sensation at the first metatarsal head and medial malleolus was tested by a 128 Hz tuning fork. Joint position sense …and kinesthesia in the ankle joint were also assessed. RESULTS: Children with CP demonstrated significantly higher light touch pressure and two-point discrimination thresholds compared to their TD peers. Individuals with CP perceived the vibration stimulus for a longer period compared to the TD participants. Finally, the CP group demonstrated significant impairments in joint position sense but not in kinesthesia of the ankle joints. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that children with CP have foot and ankle tactile and proprioceptive deficits. Assessment of lower extremity somatosensory function should be included in clinical practice as it can guide clinicians in designing more effective treatment protocols to improve functional performance in CP. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, sensory processing, sensation, proprioception, somatosensory function, sensory thresholds

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190643

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 247-255, 2021

Authors: Siemens, Marshall | Wunder, Shane | Kraushaar, Jacqueline | Mortimer, J. Alexandra | Siddiqui, Muhammed | Kane, Kyra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Hip displacement impacts quality of life for many children with cerebral palsy (CP). While early detection can help avoid dislocation and late-stage surgery, formalized surveillance programs are not ubiquitous. This study aimed to examine: 1) surgical practices around pediatric hip displacement for children with CP in a region without formalized hip surveillance; and 2) utility of MP compared to traditional radiology reporting for quantifying displacement. METHODS: A retrospective chart review examined hip displacement surgeries performed on children with CP between 2007–2016. Surgeries were classified as preventative, reconstructive, or salvage. Pre- and post-operative migration percentage (MP) …was calculated for available radiographs using a mobile application and compared using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test. MPs were also compared with descriptions in the corresponding radiology reports using directed and conventional content analyses. RESULTS: Data from 67 children (115 surgical hips) were included. Primary surgery types included preventative (63.5% hips), reconstructive (36.5%), or salvage (0%). For the 92 hips with both radiology reports and radiographs available, reports contained a range of descriptors that inconsistently reflected the retrospectively-calculated MPs. CONCLUSION: Current radiology reporting practices do not appear to effectively describe hip displacement for children with CP. Therefore, standardized reporting of MP is recommended. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, hip subluxation, hip dislocation, hip surgery, surveillance program, migration percentage, radiology reporting

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-201506

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 257-263, 2021

Authors: Umar, Abdullahi B. | Yakasai, Abdulsalam M. | Danazumi, Musa S. | Shehu, Usman T. | Badaru, Umaru M. | Kaka, Bashir

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the needs and priorities of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in order to improve care by increasing family participation in rehabilitation programmes. METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted between January to March 2019. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 43 family members (18 years and above) of children with CP who came to the physiotherapy departments for rehabilitation services for their children. Fisher’s exact test was used to analyse the association between socio-demographic characteristics and each of the need items. RESULTS: Five different items …were identified to be the family needs that were most frequently met: a) ‘need for active involvement in the child’s treatment and therapies’ (n = 40; 93.0%), b) ‘need for the provision of standard medical care (n = 39; 90.7%), c) ‘need for questions to be answered honestly’ (n = 38; 88.4%), d) ‘need for healthcare professionals to respect the child’s wishes’ (n = 36; 83.7%), e) ‘need for mothers to discuss their feelings (depression, stress etc.) with someone who has similar experience’ (n = 36; 83.7%). Conversely, three items were the most unmet family needs: a) ‘need to have professionals to consult whenever the child needs help’ (n = 39; 90.7%), b) ‘need to be informed about the child’s prognosis’ (n = 41; 95.3%), and c) ‘need to have financial support to provide the child with adequate care’ (n = 43; 100%). CONCLUSION: All participants overwhelmingly reported that their financial needs were their highest priority. The multiple needs of families of children with disabilities must be assessed and considered in rehabilitation services when treating children with CP. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, disability, family needs, family participation, rehabilitation services, Nigeria

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-200696

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 265-274, 2021

Authors: Dawson, Shay | McCormick, Bryan | Piatt, Jennifer | Knapp, Doug | Dickinson, Stephanie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Youth with physical disabilities are at an elevated risk for poor psychosocial health. Pediatric medical camps are one common intervention utilized to provide short-term psychosocial support. However, there is a growing criticism that the effects of such programs diminish as participants return to home and school settings post residential camp experience. A post camp support intervention, the first known in the literature, was tested for perceptions of mattering and self-esteem. Specifically, this study examined the psychosocial effect of a year-round mentoring and online support program as an adjunct to residential camp (intervention) as compared to peers that attended …only the summer residential experience (comparison group). METHODS: A quasi-experimental design using an intervention and comparison group was implemented. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance to test for within group and between group effect. RESULTS: A small effect (partial η 2 = 0.096) between groups (p < 0.17) and a moderate effect (partial η 2 = 0.133) within groups (p < 0.10) was detected for the mattering construct. A positive effect for self-esteem was not detected between or within groups. CONCLUSIONS: The online and mentoring support program appeared to improve perceptions of mattering three months into implementation. Future implications center on the refinement of the support program and suggestions for further longitudinal research. Show more

Keywords: Adolescent, camping, community integration, social distance, self-concept

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190673

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 275-284, 2021

Authors: Gray, Susan Hayden | Byrne, Rachel | Christensen, Sinead | Williams, David | Wylie, Molly | Fowler, Eileen | Gaebler-Spira, Deborah | Marciniak, Christina | Glader, Laurie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To explore the recalled experiences of women with CP regarding sexual health education and services they received. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted at four academic tertiary hospitals with 33 adult women with CP. Templates were used to ask about four key content domains: appointment planning (including planning for a gynecologic exam), accessibility of services, experiences with providers, and recommendations for improvement. Sessions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed to generate a coding dictionary. Blinded coding was carried out for each transcript, with duplicate coding used to confirm identified themes. Iterative analysis was used …to identify and consolidate coding and key themes. RESULTS: Similar barriers were discussed at the four sites, including lack of accessible exam tables, hospital staff unfamiliar with physical disabilities, and assumptions that women with CP are not sexually active. Many described the sexual education they received as brief, omitted, or mistimed. Self-advocacy was crucial, and recommended strategies ranged from pre-gynecologic exam medication to visit checklists. CONCLUSION: Reproductive health education for young women with CP is frequently inadequate. Medical professionals lack relevant knowledge and awareness; medical facilities lack necessary infrastructure. Recommendations for improvements are made. Show more

Keywords: Health education, sexual education, reproductive health, cerebral palsy

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-210020

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 285-293, 2021

Authors: Kim, Do Hyun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: We explored the test-retest reliability of pelvic rotation measured using a smartphone and established criterion-related validity by analyzing simple linear regression between pelvic rotation data obtained using the smartphone and those measured by a palpation meter. METHODS: We recruited 12 children with cerebral palsy (CP) (7 boys and 5 girls) and measured pelvic rotation using a smartphone application and a palpation meter in the sitting, standing, and one-leg standing positions. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs); simple linear regression was analyzed to explore the relationships between smartphone and palpation meter data. …RESULTS: In terms of the test-retest reliability of pelvic rotation measured by the smartphone, the ICCs ranged from 0.85 to 0.95. A positive linear correlation was found between smartphone and palpation meter data. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that measurement of pelvic rotation using a smartphone was reliable when children with CP were in the sitting, standing, and one-leg standing positions. In addition, pelvic rotation measured using the smartphone correlated significantly with that measured using a palpation meter. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, palpation meter, pelvic rotation

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-190621

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 295-299, 2021

Authors: Pierce, Wendy

Article Type: Book Review

Keywords: Quality of life, cerebral palsy, gait impairment, book review, gait disorders

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-210029

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 301-302, 2021

Authors: MacCarthy, Matthew

Article Type: Other

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, disability representation, adolescents

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-210008

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 303-305, 2021

Authors: McLaughlin, Matthew | Inanoglu, Didem

Article Type: Other

Keywords: Clinical response, pediatric patients, cerebral palsy

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-210028

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 307-314, 2021

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-219007

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 315-327, 2021

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-219008

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 329-330, 2021