Rehabilitation and Therapy Commons^™

A 3-Month Interdisciplinary Process Drama Program To Build Social Skills In Pre-Schoolers With Asd: A Feasibility Study, Lorie G. Richards, Heidi Woolley, Xan S. Johnson, Pamela Mathy, Stacy Manwaring, M. Raby, Penelope Caywood, W. Wilde, L. Thornton

Occupational Therapy Collection

Objectives:

• To test the feasibility and effect of an interdisciplinary process drama program targeting social skill development in 3-5 year-old children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characteristics
• To develop a paradigm for testing brain-behavior relationships related to social skills in these children using EEG and testing its ability to detect intervention-related changes.

Background: Social skill deficits are a hallmark cause of disability in ASD. Such disability is of critical concern given the rising prevalence (1 in 54 Utah children) of ASD. [1] As children learn through social experiences, difficulty in social interactions can limit development and ability to succeed …

Validity Of The Early Activity Scale For Endurance And The 6-Minute Walk Test For Children With Cerebral Palsy., Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Lynn Jeffries, Allison Yocum, Sarah Westcott Mccoy, On Track Study Team

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: This study aimed to describe Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE) scores and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distances of children with cerebral palsy (CP) by functional ability level, sex, and age and to examine the convergent validity of the 2 tests.

METHODS: A total of 708 participants with CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to V, completed the EASE, and 376 of the study participants (3-12years), GMFCS levels I to III, completed the 6MWT.

RESULTS: Children with CP vary in EASE scores and 6MWT distances based on GMFCS level and, to a lesser extent, age. The …

Longitudinal Trajectories And Reference Centiles For The Impact Of Health Conditions On Daily Activities Of Children With Cerebral Palsy., Doreen J Bartlett, Jan Willem Gorter, Lynn M Jeffries, Lisa Avery, Steven E Hanna, On Track Study Team

Physical Therapy Publications

AIM: First, to describe the impact of health conditions on daily activities over time in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to create age-specific reference centiles. Second, to determine the amount of change typical over a 1-year period, across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels.

METHOD: A prospective, cohort design, with five assessments over 2 years, involved 708 children with a confirmed diagnosis of CP participating in the On Track Study (396 males, 312 females; mean age 6y [SD 2y 7mo]; range 18mo-12y at first assessment; 32.1% in GMFCS level I, 22.7% in GMFCS level II, 11.2% in GMFCS …

Developmental Trajectories And Reference Percentiles For The 6-Minute Walk Test For Children With Cerebral Palsy., Alyssa Laforme Fiss, Lynn Jeffries, Kristie Bjornson, Lisa Avery, Steven Hanna, Sarah Westcott Mccoy

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to document longitudinal developmental trajectories in 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distances and to develop age-specific reference percentiles for children across different Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels.

METHODS: A TOTAL OF: 456 children with cerebral palsy ages 3 to 12 years of, GMFCS levels I to III participated. Children's motor function was classified on the GMFCS, and children completed the 6MWT 2 to 5 times in 2 years.

RESULTS: Longitudinal developmental trajectories support that 6MWT distances increase with age followed by a tapering, as children approach their functional limit relative to their …

Stability Of The Gross Motor Function Classification System, Manual Ability Classification System, And Communication Function Classification System., Robert J Palisano, Lisa Avery, Jan Willem Gorter, Barbara Galuppi, Sarah Westcott Mccoy

Physical Therapy Publications

AIM: To determine the stability of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) over 1-year and 2-year intervals using a process for consensus classification between parents and therapists.

METHOD: Participants were 664 children with cerebral palsy (CP), 18 months to 12 years of age, one of their parents, and 90 therapists. Consensus between parents and therapists on level of function was ≥92% for the GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS. A linearly weighted kappa coefficient of ≥0.75 was the criterion for stability.

RESULTS: Kappa coefficients varied from 0.76 to 0.88 for …

Interrelationships Of Functional Status And Health Conditions In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Study., Doreen Bartlett, Emily Dyszuk, Barbara Galuppi, Jan Willem Gorter

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship among the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the average number and effect of health conditions.

METHODS: Participants were 671 children with CP aged 2 to 12 years from Canada and the United States. Cross-tabulation of functional classifications and averages were computed for the number and impact of health conditions and comparisons among groups.

RESULTS: A total of 78 of the 125 possible classification combinations were recorded. Most frequent were GMFCS I, MACS …

Understanding Participation Of Children With Cerebral Palsy In Family And Recreational Activities., Mohammed S Alghamdi, Lisa A Chiarello, Robert J Palisano, Sarah W Mccoy

Physical Therapy Publications

AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of age, sex, gross motor, manual ability, and communication functions on the frequency and enjoyment of children's participation in family and recreational activities. The secondary aim was to determine the relationships between motor and communication functions and participation.

METHODS: Participants were 694 children, 1.5-12 years old, with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents across the US and Canada. Parents rated children's frequency and enjoyment of participation using the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure. Parents and therapists identified children's level of function using Gross Motor Function Classification System …

Parents' Experiences And Perceptions When Classifying Their Children With Cerebral Palsy: Recommendations For Service Providers., Natalie V Scime, Doreen J Bartlett, Laura K Brunton, Robert J Palisano

Physical Therapy Publications

AIMS: This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) when classifying their children using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). The second aim was to collate parents' recommendations for service providers on how to interact and communicate with families.

METHODS: A purposive sample of seven parents participating in the On Track study was recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted orally and were audiotaped, transcribed, and coded openly. A descriptive interpretive approach within a pragmatic perspective was used during analysis.

RESULTS: …

Consensus Classifications Of Gross Motor, Manual Ability, And Communication Function Classification Systems Between Therapists And Parents Of Children With Cerebral Palsy., Doreen J Bartlett, Barbara Galuppi, Robert J Palisano, Sarah Westcott Mccoy

Physical Therapy Publications

No abstract provided.

The Manual Ability Classification System: A Scoping Review, Deepa Jeevanantham, Emily Dyszuk, Doreen Bartlett

Physical Therapy Publications

PURPOSE: To examine the use of the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and to identify gaps in the literature by conducting a thorough search of existing publications from 2006 to March 2013.

METHODS: An extensive literature search included 15 databases, using the search terms "Manual Ability Classification System" or "MACS" to retrieve relevant abstracts.

RESULTS: A total of 161 articles were identified for final inclusion. The review identified literature that supports the reliability, validity, and stability of the MACS.

CONCLUSIONS: The MACS could be considered as a standard classification for children with cerebral palsy on the basis of manual abilities. …

Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Sensory Behaviors In Children With Autism., Kristina G Caron, Roseann C Schaaf, Teal W. Benevides, Eynat Gal

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Parents of children with autism frequently report that their children exhibit unusual responses to sensory experiences. Little research is available, however, describing how parents' and children's culture and environment might influence parents' reports of their children's behaviors. This study compared the frequency of parent-reported responses to sensory experiences in children from two countries-Israel and the United States. We administered the Short Sensory Profile to primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing peers. Results indicate that Israeli parents reported unusual responses to sensory experiences less frequently than U.S. parents for both ASD and typically developing children. …

Validity And Reliability Of Two Abbreviated Versions Of The Gross Motor Function Measure., Laura K Brunton, Doreen J Bartlett

Physical Therapy Publications

Aim: The “gold standard” to measure gross motor functioning for children with cerebral palsy (CP) is the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66). The purpose of this study was to estimate the validity and reliability of two abbreviated versions (item set (GMFM-66 IS) and basal and ceiling (GMFM-66 B&C) approaches) of the GMFM-66.

Methods: Twenty-six children with CP aged 2 to 6 years across all GMFCS levels participated. At session one, both abbreviated versions were administered by two independent raters, followed by the full GMFM-66. In the subsequent session, only the abbreviated versions were administered, by the same raters. Concurrent validity, …

Occupational Therapy Using A Sensory Integrative Approach: A Case Study Of Effectiveness., Roseann C. Schaaf, Kathleen Mckeon Nightlinger

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: This article presents a case report of a child with poor sensory processing and describes the disorders impact on the child's occupational behavior and the changes in occupational performance during 10 months of occupational therapy using a sensory integrative approach (OT-SI).

METHOD: Retrospective chart review of assessment data and analysis of parent interview data are reviewed. Progress toward goals and objectives is measured using goal attainment scaling. Themes from parent interview regarding past and present occupational challenges are presented.

RESULTS: Notable improvements in occupational performance are noted on goal attainment scales, and these are consistent with improvements in behavior. …

Lessons Learned: A Pilot Study On Occupational Therapy Effectiveness For Children With Sensory Modulation Disorder., Lucy Jane Miller, Sarah A. Schoen, Katherine James, Roseann C Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to prepare for a randomized controlled study of the effectiveness of occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach (OT-SI) with children who have sensory processing disorders (SPD).

METHOD: A one-group pretest, posttest design with 30 children was completed with a subset of children with SPD, those with sensory modulation disorder.

RESULTS: Lessons learned relate to (a) identifying a homogeneous sample with quantifiable inclusion criteria, (b) developing an intervention manual for study replication and a fidelity to treatment measure, (c) determining which outcomes are sensitive to change and relate to parents' priorities, and …

Goal Attainment Scaling As A Measure Of Meaningful Outcomes For Children With Sensory Integration Disorders., Zoe Mailloux, Teresa A. May-Benson, Clare A. Summers, Lucy Jane Miller, Barbara Brett-Green, Janice P. Burke, Ellen S. Cohn, Jane A. Koomar, L Diane Parham, Susanne Smith Roley, Roseann C. Schaaf, Sarah A. Schoen

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is a methodology that shows promise for application to intervention effectiveness research and program evaluation in occupational therapy (Dreiling & Bundy, 2003; King et al., 1999; Lannin, 2003; Mitchell & Cusick, 1998). This article identifies the recent and current applications of GAS to occupational therapy for children with sensory integration dysfunction, as well as the process, usefulness, and problems of application of the GAS methodology to this population. The advantages and disadvantages of using GAS in single-site and multisite research with this population is explored, as well as the potential solutions and future programs that will …

Children With Disturbances In Sensory Processing: A Pilot Study Examining The Role Of The Parasympathetic Nervous System., Roseann C. Schaaf, Lucy Jane Miller, Duncan Seawell, Shannon O'Keefe

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This study was a preliminary investigation of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning in children with disturbances in sensory processing. The specific aims of this study were to (1) provide preliminary data about group differences in parasympathetic functions, as measured by the vagal tone index, between children with disturbances in sensory processing and those without; (2) determine effect size and power needed for future studies; and (3) to lay the foundation for further examination of the relations of parasympathetic functioning and functional behavior in children with disturbances in sensory processing. Participants were 15 children, nine with disturbances in sensory processing and …

Play Behavior And Occupational Therapy., Roseann C Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

The effectiveness of treatment methods on a person's ability to carry out occupational roles competently is of interest to occupational therapists. This case study demonstrated how play, as an occupational role of childhood and as a measure of competence, can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of occupational therapy that uses a sensory integrative approach. The positive changes in C.C.'s play behavior support the basic philosophy of sensory integration, which states that an increase in sensory integrative functions will improve competence (in this study, competence is defined as play), that is, that a person will have the ability to carry …

Occupational Therapy In Early Intervention: A Family-Centered Approach., Roseann C. Schaaf, L L. Mulrooney

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This article describes a framework for occupational therapy service provision in early intervention settings and presents pilot data aimed at examining the framework's effectiveness. The Family-Centered Framework for Early Intervention is a synthesis of concepts from the Model of Human Occupation (Kielhofner & Burke, 1980) and from the literature on play. It encompasses a systematic, holistic approach that considers the child and the family within the context of their life environments. In this framework, play is used both as an evaluative tool and as an intervention modality that addresses the volition, habituation, and performance of the child and family as …

The Frequency Of Vestibular Disorders In Developmentally Delayed Preschoolers With Otitis Media., Roseann C Schaaf

Department of Occupational Therapy Faculty Papers

This study investigated the frequency of vestibular disorders in developmentally disabled preschoolers who did and who did not have a history of otitis media. Fifteen children with a history of otitis media and fifteen children with no history of otitis media were given two tests for vestibular functioning: the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT) and the Lateral Labyrinthine Righting Reaction (LLRR), acting on the head. The scores on these tests were dichotomized, and a correlation between these two tests as measures of vestibular function was obtained. Because this correlation did not reach a satisfactory level, two a satisfactory level, …