Participation patterns and determinants of participation of young children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding participation patterns of young children with cerebral palsy (CP) will enable occupational therapists to tailor family-and child-centred services. This study compares participation patterns and participation barriers of young children with CP with those of typically developing (TD) children. In addition, effect of age and gender on participation were examined as well as child-related determinants of participation for young children with CP. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of 110 young children with CP and 150 TD children, aged 36-72 months. Children with CP represented different levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E&R), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). The Arabic Preschool Activity Card Sort was used to measure participation level as well as barriers of participation. T-tests, ANOVA, and exploratory regressions were employed. Significance was set at p < .05. Results: Young children with CP showed significant decreased overall and domainspecific participation compared to TD children (p < .001). Perceived barriers of participation were mostly related to child-factors for young children with CP compared to greater variability in barriers in TD children. Gender had no significant effect on participation regardless of diagnosis; however, pattern of the effect of age was different among the two groups. MACS was found to be the only significant predictor of participation for children with CP (p = .001). Conclusion: Occupational therapists should focus on enhancing participation for young children with CP and consider participation barriers when designing their interventions. Several factors need to be considered when aiming to enhance participation of children with CP. The use of the MACS could contribute to better intervention planning.

A Comparison of the Functioning and Disability Levels of Children With Hemiplegic and Diplegic Cerebral Palsy Based on ICF-CY Components

“…Given that trunk control displayed a significant direct impact on dynamic balance, as evidenced by the path analysis in our structural equation model, it is understandable why children with hemiplegic CP performed better on functions related to trunk control. Furthermore, it’s important to note that manual ability plays a pivotal role in participation in daily activities (Abu-Dahab et al, 2021) and that children with diplegic CP had better manual ability outcomes in this study compared to those with hemiplegic CP. There was a substantial difference between the two groups in daily activities and social participation outcomes that favored children with hemiplegic CP.…”

Effects of Telerehabilitation-Based Structured Home Program on Activity, Participation and Goal Achievement in Preschool Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Play activities, skill development, active physical recreation and social activities are the most common activities in which preschool children with CP participated [ 29 ]. Abu-Dahab et al determined that preschool children show low participation and activity levels for typically developing children [ 30 ]. Novak et al reported a relationship between goal-directed home program intervention and participation in children with CP aged between 2 and 7 years [ 10 ].…”

Social participation in occupational therapy: Is it possible to establish a consensus?

“…In occupational therapy, multiple theoretical, practical, and institutional understandings of social participation are available, and there is a degree of consensus and some disagreements about its definition. For some authors, social participation includes social interactions, engagement in occupations/activities, and movement in places and spaces (Abu‐Dahab et al, 2021; Levasseur et al, 2019; P.B. Lopes & Matsukura, 2018; Veiguela et al, 2018).…”