Investigating the Effect of Participation-based Individualized Occupational Therapy on Functional Mobility of Children with Cerebral Palsy in School: A Single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Article Info Investigating the Effect of Participation-based Individualized Occupational Therapy on Functional Mobility of Children with Cerebral Palsy in School: A Single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial Atefeh Kalooti1, Mehdi Alizadeh Zarei2*, Malek Amini2 1. MSc. Student, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2. Rehabilitation Research Center, Occupational Therapy Department, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background and Objectives: Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder in the growing brain that disrupts movement and ultimately limits the individual’s performance and participation in a variety of areas, such as everyday life, play, and school activities. Individualized occupational interventions help these children receive appropriate services and supports based on their needs, abilities, and disabilities. Current research aimed at investigating effect of individualized occupational therapy interventions on mobility in children with cerebral palsy in the schools. Methods: This is a Single-blind randomized clinical trial, in which 18 children with cerebral palsy at ages 6-12 were selected using convenience method, and were divided into control and intervention groups using block randomization method. During the research period, the control group like before the research received the conventional occupational therapy interventions for 5 weeks and 12 sessions. The intervention group received occupational interventions based on the individualized appropriate goals. Both groups were assessed by School Function Assessment (SFA). Results: The average age of participants was 10.17 years old. Of these children, 52% used wheelchair .Difference in changes of mobility variables was significant between control and intervention group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that individual occupational therapy based on participation of children with cerebral palsy in exceptional schools had significant impact on mobility of children in non-academic activities of the school, which requires further studies.