Reflections on Participation at Home, As Self-Reported by Young People with Cerebral Palsy.

This study explored the home-based participation of young people with cerebral palsy (CP) and described factors that make participation easier or harder. Fifteen young people with CP aged 15 to 26 years provided written reflections, photographs, or videos about their home-based participation experiences. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Participation measures that evaluate attendance and involvement for young people aged 15 to 25 years with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Purpose: To identify participation-focused measures used for young people with cerebral palsy (CP), evaluate their psychometric evidence, and map item content to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), and family of Participation-Related Constructs (fPRC) frameworks.

Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL) were searched for papers that involved young people with CP aged 15 to 25 years and reported original data from a participation measure. Each measure was examined for validity, reliability, responsiveness (using the COSMIN checklist), clinical utility, the inclusion of accessible design features, self- and/or proxy-report from people with communication support needs, and item content according to ICF and fPRC.

Factors impacting positive and negative participation of young people with cerebral palsy: a Delphi study of consumers and health professionals.

Purpose: To identify specific factors influencing the participation experiences of young people with cerebral palsy (CP) aged 15 to 26 years.

Materials And Methods: A three-round Delphi survey study design was used. Consumers (young people with CP and caregivers) and health professionals were asked to generate and then rate items influencing positive and negative participation experiences.

SPORTS STARS: a practitioner-led, peer-group sports intervention for ambulant, school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Parent and physiotherapist perspectives.

Background: Sports participation is an important goal for children with cerebral palsy classified at GMFCS Level I or II, however there are no studies of parent or physiotherapist perspectives on effectiveness or overall acceptability of transition-to-sports interventions.

Methods: Parent and physiotherapist perspectives of a novel, practitioner-led, peer-group sports intervention Trial registration: ACTRN12617000313336) were collected from Session Reports (39 children, 6-12 years, GMFCS  = 11, II = 28, Female = 12), Fidelity Evaluations (28 children), and Perspectives Surveys (Parents = 29, female = 26; Physiotherapists = 8, female = 5). Outcomes were perceived impact on: (1) sports (, ), (2) sports across and domains and (3) overall acceptability.

SPORTS STARS: a practitioner-led, peer-group sports intervention for ambulant children with cerebral palsy. Activity and participation outcomes of a randomised controlled trial.

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a practitioner-led, peer-group sports intervention for children with CP at GMFCS Level I-II.

Method: Children with CP (GMFCS I-II; 6-12 years) were randomised to or waitlist-control groups. included eight-weeks (eight hours) of physiotherapist-led, sports-specific gross motor activity training, sports education, teamwork development and confidence building.

High-level motor skills assessment for ambulant children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and decision tree.

Aim: To examine the psychometric evidence for high-level motor skills assessment tools for ambulant, school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: We searched five databases for population (children with CP aged 5-18y in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II), assessment focus (high-level motor skills), and psychometric evidence. We evaluated evidence strength using the number of studies, quality, and conduct according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments checklists.

Performance of school-aged children with cerebral palsy at GMFCS levels I and II on high-level, sports-focussed gross motor assessments.

Purpose: To investigate performance of children with cerebral palsy (CP) at GMFCS Levels I-II on sports-focussed gross motor assessments; and concurrent validity of mainstream and CP-specific high-level assessment batteries and field tests.

Methods: Fifty-four children (6-12 years) with CP at GMFCS I-II completed the Test of Gross Motor Development-second edition, Gross Motor Function Measure-Challenge Module, Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST), 10 × 5 m Sprint Test (10 × 5 mST), Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, and Seated Throw. Correlations between measures, age and mobility level, and group differences between age and mobility level were examined and content analysis performed.

Somatosensory Plasticity in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy following Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is predominantly a disorder of movement, with evidence of sensory-motor dysfunction. CIMT is a widely used treatment for hemiplegic CP. However, effects of CIMT on somatosensory processing remain unclear.

SPORTS STARS study protocol: a randomised, controlled trial of the effectiveness of a physiotherapist-led modified sport intervention for ambulant school-aged children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Modified sport interventions run by physiotherapists have shown potential as cost-effective, engaging, and effective interventions to improve gross motor skills and support transition to real-world sports participation for children with cerebral palsy. At present, this population demonstrates decreased participation in physical activities and sport compared to peers due to barriers ranging from body function to accessibility challenges. Sport provides culturally relevant opportunities for social integration, community participation and physical activity and has been shown to improve the fitness, self-esteem, confidence and quality of life of children with disabilities.

Getting inTOUCH: outcomes of a knowledge translation intervention for tactile assessment knowledge, barriers, and practice in paediatric therapists working with children with cerebral palsy.

Tactile impairments are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP), however assessment is not routinely carried out by therapists. We investigated a multi-faceted intervention to improve remove and enhance of tactile assessments by paediatric therapists. Twelve therapists from a state-wide service for children with CP (seven physiotherapists, five occupational therapists; 12 female) received: written information, demonstration videos, a face-to-face workshop, equipment provision, and on-call mentoring.

Perspectives on tactile intervention for children with cerebral palsy: a framework to guide clinical reasoning and future research.

Purpose: Many children with cerebral palsy (CP) are known to experience tactile impairments. Research evaluating specific interventions to manage this is, however, minimal. This paper seeks to consolidate current literature and provide a framework to help clinicians and researchers think strategically about tactile treatment selection and future research planning.

A touchy topic: tactile assessment among pediatric therapists.

Purpose: Tactile impairments affect over 77% of children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to examine the current practices of pediatric therapists in relation to tactile assessment and the barriers to carrying out tactile assessment in children with CP.

Method: The study was in two parts.

A Single Session of Mirror-based Tactile and Motor Training Improves Tactile Dysfunction in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Replicated Randomized Controlled Case Series.

Introduction: This replicated randomized controlled crossover case series investigated the effect of mirror-based tactile and motor training on tactile registration and perception in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP).

Methods: Six children with UCP (6-18 years; median 10 years, five male, three-left hemiplegia, four-manual ability classification system (MACS) I, one MACS II and one MACS III) participated. They attended two 90-minute sessions - one of mirror-based training and one of standard practice, bimanual therapy - in alternated order.

Impact of tactile function on upper limb motor function in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.

This study investigated the presence of, and relationship between tactile dysfunction and upper limb motor function in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) compared to typical developing (TD) children. Participants were 36 children aged 6-12 years. Presence of DCD (n=20) or TD (n=16) was confirmed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition.

Determination of interventions for upper extremity tactile impairment in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Aim: This study reviewed interventions suitable for treating tactile dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: A systematic review was conducted of six databases, searched for population: ('brain injury' OR 'cerebral palsy' OR 'stroke' OR 'cerebrovascular accident') and intervention: ('tactile' OR 'sensation'). Inclusion criteria were: (1) published after 1950 in English; (2) participants older than 4 years with brain injury; (3) upper limb intervention; and (4) examined tactile registration or perception.

"Strong and steady": a community-based strength and balance exercise group for children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of an eight-week community-based strength and balance exercise group for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Ten children with CP participated in the study (8-15 years; six male; GMFCS I = 6, II = 4; five diplegia; five hemiplegia). Muscle strength was assessed using dynamometry and functional strength tests (seated throw, distance jump, vertical jump).

Impact of tactile dysfunction on upper-limb motor performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Objective: To determine the relationship between tactile function and upper-limb function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Assessments were performed in community or hospital venues or in participants' homes.

Reproducibility of tactile assessments for children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

A systematic review identified tactile assessments used in children with cerebral palsy (CP), but their reproducibility is unknown. Sixteen children with unilateral CP and 31 typically developing children (TDC) were assessed 2-4 weeks apart. Test-retest percent agreements within one point for children with unilateral CP (and TDC) were Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments: 75% (90%); single-point localization: 69% (97%); static two-point discrimination: 93% (97%); and moving two-point discrimination: 87% (97%).

Tactile function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy compared to typically developing children.

Purpose: Tactile deficits have been understudied in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) using a limited range of tactile assessments. This study aims to characterize performance across a comprehensive battery of tactile registration and perception assessments in children with UCP and typically developing children (TDC).

Methods: Fifty-two children with UCP (Gross Motor Function Classification System I = 34, II = 18; Manual Ability Classification System I = 36, II = 16) and 34 TDC were assessed using Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments (tactile registration), and single-point localization, double simultaneous, static and moving two-point discrimination, stereognosis, and texture perception (tactile perception).

Tactile assessment in children with cerebral palsy: a clinimetric review.

This review evaluates the clinimetric properties of tactile assessments for children with cerebral palsy. Assessment of registration was reported using Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments (SWMs) or exteroception. Assessment of two-point discrimination was reported using the Disk-Criminator® or paperclip methods; Single point localization and double simultaneous were reported from the Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA); graphaesthesia was reported from the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT); and stereognosis was assessed using Manual Form Perception from the SIPT and the Klingels method (Klingels, K.