Exploring Physical Therapy Clinical Decision Making for Children with Spastic Diplegia: Survey of Pediatric Practice

Abstract

The information compiled from this project needs to be validated through systematic inquiry. Therapists may, however, use the practices reported here to reflect on their clinical decision making and to identify questions for further exploration. This descriptive document is the first step in the development of a guideline for evidence-based practice. The development of such a clinical guideline could serve as an education tool for novice therapists, a program evaluation tool to ensure quality care, and a foundation for future research to promote evidence-based practice.

The relationship between physical performance and self‐perception in children with and without cerebral palsy

“…Despite these impairments of the lower limbs, the majority of children with spastic diplegia ambulate independently (Chiarello et al, 2005).…”

Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP): A New Approach for Children with Cerebral Palsy

“…Models of service delivery during early childhood involve regular sessions of one-on-one direct therapy (Majnemer et al, 2013) that typically focus on remediation or bottom-up approaches. As children reach adolescence, service delivery changes to being primarily consultative and episodic where intervention focuses on compensation strategies and environmental modifications (Chiarello et al, 2005;Majnemer et al, 2013).…”

Actual vs. best practices for young children with cerebral palsy: A survey of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Quebec, Canada

“…In addition, the results may have been affected by the lack of random sampling of clinicians and social desirability bias towards reporting acceptable or recommended professional practices. However, the use of vignettes in this study [22] helped in exploring the variation of practices among PTs for a specific child.…”

“…Two surveys have examined assessment and treatment practices of PTs for CP [21,22]. Craig [21] surveyed 17 PTs (85% response rate) in Scotland.…”

“…Only 5/9 stated that they used outcome measures on a regular basis. Chiarello et al [22] used a research round table discussion in 1999 to gather information on practices used by 62 paediatric PTs and PT assistants in the management of mobility for children with spastic diplegia. Clinical vignettes of one child at five different ages and developmental stages (from early age to high school) were presented.…”