Practitioner-led, peer-group sports intervention combined with a context-focused intervention for children with cerebral palsy: a protocol of a feasibility randomised clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a need to investigate relevant, acceptable and feasible approaches that promote participation in leisure-time physical activity for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial comparing a peer-group intervention focused on improving physical literacy (Sports Stars) with the combination of Sports Stars and a context-focused intervention (Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation, PREP) for ambulant children with CP in Brazil.MethodsIn this feasibility trial, 18 ambulant children (aged 6–12 years) with CP will be randomised into two groups (nine per group): (1) Sports Stars and (2) Sports Stars plus PREP. The Sports Stars group will receive 8 weekly group sessions, focusing on developing the physical, social, cognitive and psychological skills required to participate in popular Brazilian sports. The combined Sports Stars and PREP group will receive Sports Stars in addition to eight individual PREP sessions focused on overcoming environmental barriers to participation. The primary outcome will include feasibility measures: willingness to participate in an RCT, eligibility and recruitment rates, maintenance of evaluator blinding, acceptability of screening procedures and random allocation, feasibility of evaluating outcomes, contamination between the groups, intervention adherence, treatment satisfaction, understanding of the intervention and implementation resources. Additional instruments will be applied to obtain data related to leisure-time physical activity participation goals, overall participation (home, school and community), physical literacy, level of physical activity and family empowerment. Outcomes will be assessed before, after and 12 weeks after intervention.Ethics and disseminationThis feasibility trial has been approved by ethical Federal University of Minas Gerais’ Ethics Review Committee (CAAE: 33238520.5.0000.5149). All potential subjects will provide written informed consent. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and be presented at academic conferences.Trial registration numbersRBR-4m3b4b6, U1111-1256-4998.

The SPORTS Participation Framework: illuminating the pathway for people with disability to enter into, participate in, and excel at sport

“…1 ) acts as the bridge between traditional, individual health services in the ‘S’ stage, and the typical sports pathway presented by ‘ORTS’ stages. 25 , 68 , 26 , 25 , 69 , 70 , 71 The ‘P’ stage is essential as it prevents people from becoming stuck in a cycle of health-focussed goals and interventions, and provides interventions that instead target transition into sports participation.…”

“…For example, in Australia, common sports include netball, cricket, soccer, and Australian football, whereas in Brazil, they are more likely to include handball, athletics, and basketball. 69 , 70 …”

Sports Stars Brazil in children with autism spectrum disorder: A feasibility randomized controlled trial protocol

“…Larger efforts are needed to developed appropriate interventions, such as Sports Stars, to improve physical activity levels and promote participation in sports and physical recreation for this population [29,30]. However, while the effectiveness and feasibility of Sports Stars Brazil is under investigation in children with CP by our research group [31,32], its feasibility in other conditions such as ASD is still unknown. This paper presents a feasibility Randomized clinical trial (RCT) protocol aiming to assess the feasibility of the Sports Stars Brazil intervention for children with ASD as articulated by Thabane et al (2010) framework [33].…”