LCSH
Cerebral palsied; Cerebral palsy; Children with disabilities--Care--United States; Children with disabilities--Rehabilitation
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the pre- and post- functional movements of 13 children with cerebral palsy, 4 to 12 years of age, who participated in a three-week mCIMT outpatient summer camp. The means of achieving the purpose was to develop a reliable tool to analyze pre- and post- photos of participants in the camp.
Method: The Functional Composite Movement Scale (FCMS) was composed and its reliability investigated. Photos were taken in nine functional end range positions and scored by the researchers, resulting in a quantitative measure of the movement required to achieve the position. Photos were randomly divided and each scored by at least two of the three researchers to check and strengthen reliability.
Results: The mean change in average pre- to post- FCMS scores, across all participants was positive ( = 0.06). Eight participants had an increase in average FCMS scores, three participants had a decrease in average FCMS scores, and two participants showed no change. There was a statistically significant difference in pre- to post- group average FCMS scores for the overhead position, t(12) = 2.483, p = .029. This finding for the overhead position suggests that participants made functional improvements in shoulder range of motion, a movement that is critical to activities of daily living.
Conclusion: The FCMS shows potential as a clinical tool to assess changes in upper extremity function as a result of mCIMT intervention. The FCMS may help close the current gap in assessments by addressing composite movements of the upper extremity. Finally, the FCMS may be useful for assessing gain in functional movement that is generalizable to the performance of activities of daily living.
First Advisor
George Tomlin, PhD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Lucretia Berg, MSOT, OTR/L
Date of Completion
Spring 2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Format
URI
http://soundideas.pugetsound.edu/ms_occ_therapy/100
Language
English
Rights
Degree Name
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT)
Date of Award
5-2014
Department
Occupational Therapy
Institution
University of Puget Sound