Focus on Function Study for Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study will compare two treatment approaches that are currently being used for children with cerebral palsy. Both treatments aim to improve a child's function. The two approaches being compared are: 1) improving function by working with the child to improve his/her skills and abilities ("child-focused" approach) and 2) improving function by changing/adapting the task and/or environment around the child to improve his/her skills and abilities ("context-focused" approach). It is hypothesized that the context-focused approach will significantly improve activity and participation outcomes while leading to no significant decreases in body function and structure outcomes.

Children with cerebral palsy commonly receive ongoing physical and occupational therapy to facilitate development and to enhance functional independence in movement, self-care, play, school activities and leisure. The primary objective of this project is to conduct a multi-site clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a context-focused approach in improving performance of functional tasks, mobility, participation in everyday activities and quality of life in 220 children 12 months to 5 years of age who have cerebral palsy. A randomized clinical trial research design will be used to examine the efficacy of the context-focused approach compared to a child-focused approach. 72 therapists in Ontario and Alberta will be randomly assigned to provide either context-focused or child-focused therapy. Therapists in both groups will participate in a training workshop and expert consultants will be available to support the therapists throughout the study. Children will receive either the context-focused or child-focused therapy intervention for a period of 6 months. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, after 6 months of treatment and at a 3-month follow-up period. Outcomes will be measured across the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, including body function and structure (range of motion, spinal alignment), activities (performance of functional tasks, motor function), participation (involvement in formal and informal activities), and environment (parent perceptions of care, parental empowerment). The children's range of motion will also be evaluated by an independent, trained evaluator at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months. We hypothesize that the context-focused approach will significantly improve activity and participation outcomes while leading to no significant decreases in body function and structure outcomes.