Gross Motor Family Report: Refinement and evaluation of psychometric properties.

Aim: To refine the Gross Motor Family Report (GM-FR) using parents' input and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

Method: In this measurement study, 12 parents of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), aged 2 to 18 years, classified in all levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), were interviewed about their experience completing the GM-FR (content validity). Parents' feedback was used to refine the measure which was then completed by 146 families to evaluate internal consistency, and discriminative and concurrent validity.

Development of the Gross Motor Function Family Report (GMF-FR) for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

To describe the initial steps in the development of a family-completed, modified version of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) to report gross motor function of young people with cerebral palsy in their natural environments. Development of the Gross Motor Function - Family Report (GMF-FR) was based on expert opinion involving 13 experienced clinicians and researchers, in four steps: (1) item identification to target items that reflect functional gross motor performance; (2) item selection; (3) critical analysis of the items; and (4) item and scoring modification. Several modifications to existing items and scoring were made, including wording changes to optimize ease of families' understanding, the addition of photographs to illustrate all items, changes to the items to enable use of furniture instead of specialized equipment, and modifications to scoring criteria to ensure a focus on functional motor skills.

Building a culture of engagement at a research centre for childhood disability.

Background: Engaging patients and family members as partners in research studies has become a widespread practice in healthcare. However, relatively little has been documented about what happens after the research study ends. For example, is patient and family engagement embedded in the wider infrastructure of organizations, and if so how? What are the long-term effects of engaging parents on research teams on the culture of how research is conducted? This study seeks to address these two gaps by examining how a culture of family engagement has been built over time at CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.

Scootering for Children and Youth Is More Than Fun: Exploration of a Feasible Approach to Improve Function and Fitness.

Purpose: Describe scootering as a physical therapy intervention for children/adolescents with mobility limitations within the "F-Words for Child Development" (fitness, function, family, friends, fun, and future) and through motion analysis.

Methods: Perspectives of scootering were explored using the holistic "F-words for Child Development" recommendations for pediatric rehabilitation and through 3-dimensional instrumented motion analysis of children/adolescents with cerebral palsy and children/adolescents with typical development.

Results: Scootering was consistent with the F-words tenets for rehabilitative best practice.

Focus on Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease in Cerebral Palsy: Toward a Core Set of Outcome Measurement Instruments.

Objective: To identify existing outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) assessing risk factors for cardiometabolic disease in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) reported on in the literature or used in the field.

Data Sources: The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments database of systematic reviews and 4 electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE/Ovid, MEDLINE/Pubmed, PsychINFO) were searched up to June 19, 2017, that yielded 2594 articles. Experts in the field were consulted to identify any additional OMIs.

Comparison of Nest Defense Behaviors of Goshawks () from Finland and Montana.

As human impacts on wildlife have become a topic of increasing interest, studies have focused on issues such as overexploitation and habitat loss. However, little research has examined potential anthropogenic impacts on animal behavior. Understanding the degree to which human interaction may alter natural animal behavior has become increasingly important in developing effective conservation strategies.

Gait characteristics of children and youth with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy following treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Sensory changes and muscle weakness attributable to chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) are possible sequela of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) which can result in long-lasting difficulties with walking. The purpose of this study was to describe the gait characteristics of children and youth treated for ALL who exhibited CIPN compared to typically developing children and youth using 3D motion analyses and electromyography (EMG). Temporal-spatial, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from 17 youth (mean age 11.

Consensus Planning Toward a Community-Based Approach to Promote Physical Activity in Youth with Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: To engage researchers and knowledge-users in six Ontario communities in knowledge translation initiatives to identify community-informed elements to guide the development of an optimal physical activity program for youth with cerebral palsy (CP) and to support research efforts.

Methods: The project included three iterative steps, i.e.

Physical Activity Participation and Preferences: Developmental and Oncology-Related Transitions in Adolescents Treated for Cancer.

Purpose: To describe motor function and participation in, barriers to, and preferences for physical activity (PA) in adolescents during and after treatment of cancer and to discuss PA promotion in the context of developmental and cancer transitions.

Method: A cross-sectional survey study used the Transfer and Basic Mobility and Sports/Physical Functioning self-report and parent-report scales of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and questions about PA participation and preferences to collect information from 80 adolescents and 63 parents.

Results: PODCI scores for adolescents receiving treatment were more variable and significantly lower than those of adolescents who had been off treatment for more than 2 years.

Physical Activity in Adolescents following Treatment for Cancer: Influencing Factors.

The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels and influencing individual and environmental factors in a group of adolescent survivors of cancer and a comparison group. Methods. The study was conducted using a "mixed methods" design.

"It's the participation that motivates him": physical activity experiences of youth with cerebral palsy and their parents.

Youth with cerebral palsy (CP) face significant barriers to participation in physical activity (PA). There is little information available about the nature of these barriers. Seventeen (17) youth and/or their parents participated in focus groups and individual interviews to identify factors that make it easy or hard to be physically active.

Performance of children on the Community Balance and Mobility Scale.

This study describes the performance of children 8-11 years of age on the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) and associations between performance and age, body mass index (BMI), and sex. A convenience sample of 84 was recruited. The CB&M was administered using instructions we developed for children.

Communication regarding breathing support options for youth with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Background: Ventilators for home use, manual and mechanically assisted coughing techniques, and the services of in-home respiratory therapists are options for youth with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Evidence supports the use of these modalities, but there seems to be few youth who are receiving these therapies. Is there a knowledge transfer issue? Is there a lack of resources? What is the best way to discuss the issues? What do youth and parents want?

Objective: To determine practices, attitudes and beliefs regarding the timing and content of client/family communication related to ventilatory support decisions for individuals with DMD.

Identification of a core set of exercise tests for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a Delphi survey of researchers and clinicians.

Aim: Evidence-based recommendations regarding which exercise tests to use in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) are lacking. This makes it very difficult for therapists and researchers to choose the appropriate exercise-related outcome measures for this group. This study aimed to identify a core set of exercise tests for children and adolescents with CP.

Children receiving treatment for cancer and their caregivers: a mixed methods study of their sleep characteristics.

Background: Sleep has a significant impact on the daily functioning of children and their parents. The purpose of this study was to describe and gain an understanding of the sleep characteristics of children receiving treatment for cancer and their caregivers using a mixed methods concurrent triangulation design.

Procedure: Data were collected from questionnaires completed by 35 caregivers of children receiving treatment for cancer and compared to similar data from 64 caregivers of healthy children.

Distribution of contractures and spinal malalignments in adolescents with cerebral palsy: observations and influences of function, gender and age.

Objective: To describe distributions of contracture and spinal malalignment in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and determine associations with age, gender and function.

Methods: Data were collected using the Spinal Alignment and Range of Motion Measure (SAROMM), the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Activity Scale for Kids (ASK).

Results: Two hundred and twenty-five adolescents (122 males; mean age 14 years 8 months; SD 1 year 8 months) participated.

Prevalence of prehypertension and its relationship to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Jamaica: analysis from a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Recent studies have documented an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in persons with systolic blood pressures of 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressures of 80-89 mmHg, classified as prehypertension in the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. In this paper we estimate the prevalence of prehypertension in Jamaica and evaluate the relationship between prehypertension and other risk factors for CVD.

Methods: The study used data from participants in the Jamaica Lifestyle Survey conducted from 2000-2001.

Creatine monohydrate attenuates body fat accumulation in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during maintenance chemotherapy.

Background: Corticosteroids are an important component of the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), with known significantly negative effects on bone and muscle. Creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation may be an adjunctive therapeutic strategy to attenuate some of these adverse effects.

Procedure: Nine children with ALL in the maintenance phase of treatment on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) protocol 2000-2001 were treated with CrM (0.

Measuring fall program outcomes.

Nurses help to ensure patient safety, which includes preventing falls and fall related injuries. The aging Veteran population, like the general population, is at risk for falls and fall related injuries whether at home, in hospitals or in long term care facilities. Nurses are leading practice innovations to systematically assess patients' risk for falls and implement population based prevention interventions.

Maintenance of ankle range of motion in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Purpose: This study documented ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF-ROM) in children during treatment for leukemia and studied the effects of preventative education and individualized intervention as a standard of care.

Methods: Active and passive DF-ROM were measured throughout a two-year treatment period and one year after treatment in 40 subjects. Children without health problems and historical controls who had not received therapeutic input were used for comparison.

Sleep issues in children with physical disabilities and their families.

Sleep has a significant impact on the daily functioning of children and their parents. The purpose of this study was to describe the sleep patterns, issues, and strategies used to facilitate sleep in children with and without physical disabilities and their families. Data were collected from questionnaires completed by caregivers and siblings.

Proficiency of balance in children and youth who have had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background And Purpose: As the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in childhood increases, long-term sequelae are a growing concern. This cross-sectional, descriptive study compared the balance skills of children and youth who have had ALL with those of comparable subjects and explored associations with demographics, therapy, physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Subjects: Ninety-nine subjects treated previously for ALL and 89 comparison subjects were examined.