Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was effective all over the world. The stay-athome period was proposed to protect against the pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home period on body structures and functions, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors of children with cerebral palsy (CP) from the parental perspective in Turkey. Methods. A twenty-question survey, using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth set to understand the functional changes of children with CP during the stay-athome period, was sent to parents in this prospective study. Motor function levels of children were determined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System parent report. The structural equation model was used for statistical analysis. Results. One hundred and three parents of children with CP participated. At least one of four children with CP had increased levels of anxiety (41.8%), and increased level of a sensation of pain (34%) and sleep problems (25.2%). More than half of the children had increased tonus (67%), decreased range of motion (60.2%), decreased physical activity level (55.3%), and decreased support level of rehabilitation services (82.6%). During the stayat- home period activity and participation levels and environmental factors of children explained the changes of body functions as 70% and 33% (RMSEA=0.077, p < 0.05). Conclusions. This study is the first study to examine the functional health of children with CP biopsychosocially during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period. According to the parents, the functional health of children with CP was affected at different levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Body functions may also be affected positively if physical activity level, home program and environmental supports increase.

Background and Purpose: This case report investigated the benefits of a 12-week physical therapy program for a child with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT). Case Description: A 9-year-old girl with a diagnosis of AT participated. The physical therapy program consisted of balance and strength exercise and Wii Fit Balance-based video games training with a pediatric physical therapist for 12 weeks. Measurements: The motor performance, Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), participation as measured by the Life Habits Questionnaire (LIFE-H), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Outcomes: Positive changes were observed in the TCMS, PBBS, GMFM, and motor performance, participation, and quality of life. Conclusions: Notable improvements were observed in both body structure and function, and activities and participation level. What This Adds to Evidence: This case report is the first to support the effectiveness of physical therapy in a child with AT.

No abstract

Background: Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) are usually recommended to prevent deformities and to increase the standing and walking performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).Objective: To compare the body functions and structures, activity and participation levels, and environmental factors according to AFO-wearing time in children with spastic CP. Study design: Prospective, cross-sectional-observational-clinical study. Methods: Eighty children with spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System I-III; mean age 7.3 6 3.9 years) were divided into two groups with equal ages and duration of AFO usage, which is provided as a part of routine clinical care: 6-12 hours per day group (n 5 40) and 12-24 hours per day group (n 5 40). The outcomes measured were calf muscle's spasticity with the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), passive ankle dorsiflexion angle (DA), 66-item Gross Motor Function Measurement, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Parental satisfaction was measured with a Visual Analog Scale. Multifactorial ANOVA was used to compare the groups, corrected for 66-item Gross Motor Function Measurement. Results: No significant differences for the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, MAS, and DA were found between the groups. Significant differences for the

No abstract