Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
11-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
11-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common pediatric health conditions resulting in childhood disability. Children with CP experience varying levels of functional impairments due to muscle weakness, alterations in muscle tone, balance deficits, and loss of selective motor control. These impairments and activity limitations are thought to contribute to lower levels of participation. Studies examining participation of children with CP have found that participation is positively correlated with increased physical activity and have concluded that environment is a significant predictor of participation. However, research examining participation across specific environments is lacking. Additionally, research investigating the influence of various social and physical characteristics, such as age, sex, and gross motor ability, on participation of children with CP has yielded inconsistent results.
Objectives: The primary objectives of this exploratory study were to examine differences in participation of children/youth with and without cerebral palsy (CP) across home, school, and community settings, and examine participation of children with CP across age groups and sex, and between ambulatory and non-ambulatory children in those settings.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of parents of children with CP (n = 20) and without CP (n = 20) from March through May 2022 using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth© (PEM-CY). The PEM-CY is the first measure to evaluate participation in important activities across three settings, or environments--home, school, and community, and assesses frequency of participation and level of involvement. An anonymous electronic survey was created in REDCap® that included demographic questions in addition to the PEM-CY queries. Due to normality violations and the small sample size, non-parametric bivariate analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.
Results: Significantly greater frequency of participation at home and in community was reported for children without CP, similar to previous research. However, participation at school was not significantly different between the groups. In children with CP, motor function significantly impacted participation in home and school environments, and age significantly influenced school participation, with parents of younger children reporting significantly less participation in the school setting. Level of involvement across all environments was not significantly different for children with and without CP in this sample. Also, no significant participation differences were noted between males and females with CP.
Conclusion: Aligning with prior research, this exploratory study suggests that frequency of participation in children with CP is less than children without CP and is affected by gross motor function classification. Although frequency of participation was less in home and community environments, children are equally involved when they do participate. Unlike previous study results, school participation between children with and without CP was not significantly different, but was impacted by age. Larger population-based or case-controlled studies are recommended using the PEM-CY© to further explore the impact of environment on participation. Examination of participation data provides valuable information to support goals and interventions that facilitate participation across environments and impact modifiable environmental factors.
Embargo Period
6-27-2023
Included in
Participation of Children and Youth with and without Cerebral Palsy across Settings: An Exploratory Study
Suwanee, GA
Introduction: Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common pediatric health conditions resulting in childhood disability. Children with CP experience varying levels of functional impairments due to muscle weakness, alterations in muscle tone, balance deficits, and loss of selective motor control. These impairments and activity limitations are thought to contribute to lower levels of participation. Studies examining participation of children with CP have found that participation is positively correlated with increased physical activity and have concluded that environment is a significant predictor of participation. However, research examining participation across specific environments is lacking. Additionally, research investigating the influence of various social and physical characteristics, such as age, sex, and gross motor ability, on participation of children with CP has yielded inconsistent results.
Objectives: The primary objectives of this exploratory study were to examine differences in participation of children/youth with and without cerebral palsy (CP) across home, school, and community settings, and examine participation of children with CP across age groups and sex, and between ambulatory and non-ambulatory children in those settings.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of parents of children with CP (n = 20) and without CP (n = 20) from March through May 2022 using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth© (PEM-CY). The PEM-CY is the first measure to evaluate participation in important activities across three settings, or environments--home, school, and community, and assesses frequency of participation and level of involvement. An anonymous electronic survey was created in REDCap® that included demographic questions in addition to the PEM-CY queries. Due to normality violations and the small sample size, non-parametric bivariate analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U tests and Kruskal-Wallis H tests.
Results: Significantly greater frequency of participation at home and in community was reported for children without CP, similar to previous research. However, participation at school was not significantly different between the groups. In children with CP, motor function significantly impacted participation in home and school environments, and age significantly influenced school participation, with parents of younger children reporting significantly less participation in the school setting. Level of involvement across all environments was not significantly different for children with and without CP in this sample. Also, no significant participation differences were noted between males and females with CP.
Conclusion: Aligning with prior research, this exploratory study suggests that frequency of participation in children with CP is less than children without CP and is affected by gross motor function classification. Although frequency of participation was less in home and community environments, children are equally involved when they do participate. Unlike previous study results, school participation between children with and without CP was not significantly different, but was impacted by age. Larger population-based or case-controlled studies are recommended using the PEM-CY© to further explore the impact of environment on participation. Examination of participation data provides valuable information to support goals and interventions that facilitate participation across environments and impact modifiable environmental factors.