PARENT AND THERAPIST PERCEPTION ON THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL INTENSIVE THERAPY CARE (FITCARE) CAMP IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

K.C. Smita1, S. Shrestha1, D.E. Rameckers2
1Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Dhulikhel, Nepal, 2Hasselt’s University, Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy, Martelarenlaan, Belgium

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the leading causes of childhood disability. Rehabilitation in cerebral palsy aims to minimize effect of physical impairments, promote independence and improve the quality of life of children with CP and their parent. The functional outcome of intensive therapy showed a modest effect in comparison to non-intensive conventional therapy. FitCare is a short and intensive task-oriented therapy program targeting the domains of activity and participation of the (ICF-CY) classification. Consideration of perspectives of both the family and in collaboration with health care provider on FitCare is essential to evaluate functional outcome of CP child. The main purpose of the study was to determine perception of parent and therapist on effect of FitCare camp on children with CP.

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to determine perception of parent and therapist on effect of FITCare camp on children with CP.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Adarsha bal vikash kendra, Special school, Banepa, Nepal.7 parents of children with CP and 7 therapists were included in the study. FITCare camp for 3 days was organized and Self-made perception questionnaire with several similar domains was interviewed before and after the camp to individual parents and therapists.

Results: Majority(85.7%) of parents and therapist found camp to be effective as expected and better than expected. Parents described FITCare camp unique due to active involvement of parents and intensive treatment. All parents and therapist recommended length of camp to be more than 2 weeks. Parents found FITCare camp to be intensive but provided appropriate amount of rest periods in between. There was significant change in expectation of parents after FITCare camp (Z=-2.530, p=0.011).

Conclusions: Parents and therapist perceived FITCare camp to have positive effect on treatment of CP child and also to be intense and short.

Implications:
  1. Active involvement of parents aids better goal identification and setting for improvement of CP child.
  2. Provides confidence and new skills to the parents to deliver them at home.
  3. Inter parent and therapist joint action can catalyze the outcome of the CP child.
  4. Therapist can choose this short and intensive model of treatment for CP child.

Funding acknowledgements: Funding was done by Kathmandu University School of medical science , Dhulikhel , Nepal

Keywords:
Cerebral palsy
FITCare Camp
Parents and Physiotherapist Perception

Topics:
Paediatrics
Paediatrics: cerebral palsy
Paediatrics: cerebral palsy

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Kathmandu University School of Medical Science (IRC - KUSMS)
Committee: The Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu University School of Medical Science
Ethics number: 42/20

All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.

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