Assisting Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Many children with cerebral palsy (CP) encounter great difficulties mastering self-feeding. We set out to assess the self-feeding skills of young children with CP via a novel instrumented spoon that monitors upper extremity biomechanics involved in eating. We describe the initial stages of an iterative design process, consisting of a focus group with domain experts, and rapid-prototyping. We discuss the physical, assessment and safety requirements for the spoon. In addition, we explain the potential of tangible interfaces to provide professional caregivers with valuable information regarding each child.

DataSpoon: Validation of an Instrumented Spoon for Assessment of Self-Feeding

“…To date, we have demonstrated the initial feasibility of DataSpoon with children of different ages with and without CP [23], and future work is required to address its feasibility in other clinical populations. Indeed, in the process of designing DataSpoon, input from clinicians suggested that some of these measures (e.g., duration, smoothness) are clinically meaningful to experts in the field [13]. It should be noted, however, that the placement of the inertial sensor within the spoon itself (and not on the arm/hand complex) limits the ability to capture essential aspects of motor performance during self-feeding, such as the type of grip, or compensations related to movements of the wrist, elbow, shoulder and/or trunk [22].…”

“…In this study, we present the initial validation of an instrumented spoon (DataSpoon) [13,14], developed as an assessment tool for clinicians that provides quantitative information regarding self-feeding in children and adults with motor impairments such as cerebral palsy (CP) or stroke. Self-feeding is one of several self-care activities that are critical for the well-being of a child [15], hence it is an important skill to train, develop and monitor in children with motor disorders [13]. Furthermore, self-feeding kinematics is altered in people with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease [16], stroke [17], or Multiple Sclerosis [18], and in children [19] and adults [20] with cerebral palsy.…”

Enhancing Nutritional Status in Children with Cerebral Palsy: The Impact of Parental Feeding Rules Counseling and Special Spoon Utilization

“…Individuals with severe disabilities and nonfunctional extremities often rely on others for feeding, limiting their decision-making and control (Wyckoff and Mitani, 2015). New instrumentation spoons have been developed to assess the self-feeding skills of children with cerebral palsy (Zuckerman et al, 2015). Spoons adapted with thickened handles have improved movement performance in people with tetraparesis CP without increasing spillage (Van Roon and Steenbergen, 2006).…”

“…Nutritional status in children with CP is associated with gross motor function and can be influenced by factors such as low birth weight (Leandro, 2016). Children with CP with better table tool handling skills tend to have better physical development and are likelier to eat various snacks (Zuckerman et al, 2015). Poor nutritional status is standard in children with CP and significantly impacts their health and well-being (Kim, Bae and Cho, 2009).…”