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Greetings!
We are delighted to distribute our CanChild e-newsletter featuring more resources on the CanChild website, as well as recently published articles that may be of interest to you! In this issue, we have highlighted publications by CanChild scientists, research associates, international collaborators, and post-doctoral fellows on topics related to cerebral palsy.
Please feel free to share CanChild resources and this newsletter with family, friends and colleagues. They can subscribe to the CanChild Today e-Newsletter for free by registering here. Our past issues are archived on the CanChild website, and can be accessed here! Check our What's New page for new postings on our website.
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CanChild's new service helps to improve care to families and supports organizations |
CanChild is excited about its new Measurement and Analysis Service. This service, beginning with the Measure of Processes of Care-20 (MPOC-20), provides consultation, electronic data collection, analysis and reporting to organizations for a fee. To learn more, click here. The new service benefits families by assisting organizations to provide services that are more family-centred, a best practice in pediatric rehabilitation. Service providers are pleased with the reduced administrative burden for them with CanChild managing the analysis and reporting. To inquire about this service for your organization please contact [email protected].
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The Focus on Function Study compared two treatment approaches ("child-focused" and "context-focused") that are currently being used for children with cerebral palsy (CP). The child focused approach improved function by working with the child's skills and abilities. The context focused approach improved functioning by changing/adapting the task and/or environment around the child. A summary has been written to help families of children with CP understand the findings of this research study. Click here to view the summary. Are you looking for new, inspiring ideas about participation? Our Participation Team has started a list of great websites that provide information about participation and stories that will inspire children and youth to get involved in new activities. These recommended websites provide reliable, useful information for children, youth and parents. Click here to view! A new video has also been posted 'In the News'. |
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Recent Publications by CanChild Members
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The objective of this study published in Physical Therapy was to investigate patterns of physical activity and sedentary time in youth with cerebral palsy (CP) compared with youth without CP. Seventeen ambulatory children with CP, and 17 age-, sex-, and season-matched typically developing youth wore an accelerometer over a 7-day period. Results: Youth with CP engaged in significantly more sedentary time, with significantly fewer breaks from sedentary time. Recommendations for future research are noted. Read about the Stay-Fit Program of Research. Authors: J Obeid, AC Balemans, SG Noorduyn, JW Gorter, BW Timmons. Abstract.
Developmental trajectories of mobility and self-care capabilities in young children with cerebral palsy
The mobility and self-care capabilities in young children (1-4 yrs) with cerebral palsy (CP) was assessed by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) yearly to examine whether mobility and self-care activities in daily life differ by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level. Distinct developmental trajectories were found for children in different GMFCS levels. The estimated change per month differed significantly by GMFCS level for both outcomes. The developmental trajectories for GMFCS levels can be helpful in communication between professionals, evidence-based prognosis, and in goal setting with families. Published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Authors: M Ketelaar, JW Gorter, P Westers, S Hanna, M Verhoef. Abstract.
Guidelines for future research in constraint-induced movement therapy for children with unilateral cerebral palsy: An expert consensus
The aim of this study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology was to provide an overview of what is known about constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and experts participated in a consensus activity to develop future research questions. The areas of highest priority included the effect of dosage, the effect of repeated CIMT, and the impact of predictive factors, such as age, on the response to CIMT. Further research is needed to identify whether a specific model of CIMT is superior to others. Authors: AC Eliasson, L Krumlinde-Sundholm, AM Gordon, H Feys, K Klingels, PB Aarts, E Rameckers, I Autti-R�m�, B Hoare. Abstract.
Measuring advanced motor skills in children with cerebral palsy: Further development of the Challenge Module
The Challenge Module was created as a proposed adjunct to the GMFM-66, to measure gross motor function for children with cerebral palsy (CP), GMFCS Level 1. Testing of the Challenge Module in a previous study revealed that response scales should assess performance speed as well as skill accomplishment. This study sought to develop empirically based dual-criterion (accomplishment and time) response options. Time cut-points that could be applied to children with CP were obtained. The response options also were revised to capture high-level movement control. The resulting revised Challenge now measures skill accomplishment, speed, and quality. Funded work (Canadian Institutes for Health Research) is now underway by our research group to evaluate the validation of the Challenge and create a Rasch-scaled version that will link directly with the GMFM-66. Published in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Authors: CM Glazebrook, FV Wright. Abstract.
The Quality Function Measure: Reliability and discriminant validity of a new measure of quality of gross motor movement in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy
The new Quality Function Measure (QFM) - a revision and improvement of the Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM) - evaluates five attributes of movement: Alignment, Co-ordination, Dissociated movement, Stability, and Weight-shift, for the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-66 Stand and Walk/Run/Jump items. This study published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology evaluated the reliability and discriminant validity of the QFM. The QFM was determined to be reliable and valid, making it possible to assess how well young people with cerebral palsy move and what areas of function to target to enhance quality of motor control. Current work is exploring the change-detecting capacity of the QFM. Authors: FV Wright, P Rosenbaum, D Fehlings, R Mesterman, U Breuer, M Kim. Abstract. |
 CanChild was an early adopter of information sharing through the use of technology. Our first website was created in 1997, when we were still called the Neurodevelopmental Clinical Research Unit or NCRU! (In 1997, Google.com did not even exist!) Today, our website has 12,500 visitors monthly from 179 countries around the world. CanChild has continued to stay current with major website revisions in 2006, 2009 and 2011. Watch for further innovations later this year! Take a peak at our website in 2003, and in 2006! |
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