Physical activity on prescription for children with cerebral palsy: a feasibility study

ISRCTN ISRCTN76366356
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN76366356
Secondary identifying numbers LU-Dnr 2013/521
Submission date
04/06/2017
Registration date
08/06/2017
Last edited
26/11/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims:
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term for a number of conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It occurs when there is a problem in the parts of the brain responsible for controlling muscles. This can be due to abnormal development of the brain or damage caused before, during or after birth. CP leads to a range of symptoms, including muscle stiffness or weakness, random and uncontrolled body movements and balance and coordination problems. Children with CP tend to be less physically active and more sedentary than other children which can increase risk for poor physical and mental health. Physical activity on prescription (PAP) is an effective program designed to encourage increased levels of physical activity in adults. The aim of this study is to find out whether PAP is feasible and effective in children with CP.

Who can participate?
Children with CP aged 7-11 years.

What does the study involve?
All participants take part in the PAP program. This involves children, their parents and as physiotherapist working together to create a physical activity program that the children follow for six months. At the start of the study and then after eight and 11 months, participants complete a number of questionnaires to assess their physical activity behaviours and function.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants could benefit from increased interest in and knowledge about physical activities. The children get attention and are able to choose physical activities which increases empowerment. There is a risk that parents may want their child to take part in a physical activity that the child is not interested in, but this risk is minimised through the discussions with the child, parents and physiotherapist towards a joint agreement.

Where is the study run from?
Lund University (Sweden)

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2013 to November 2014

Who is funding the study?
1. Research Platform for Disability Studies in Rehabilitation (Sweden)
2. The Promobilia foundation (Sweden)
3. Swedish National Association for Disabled Children and Young People (Sweden)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Katarina Lauruschkus
katarina.lauruschkus@med.lu.se

Contact information

Dr Katarina Lauruschkus
Public

Lund University
Box 157
Lund
22100
Sweden

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-1801-8503
Phone +46 707 51 98 88
Email katarina.lauruschkus@med.lu.se

Study information

Study designSingle-centre non randomised feasibility study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Home
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not availale in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific titleParticipation in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy: Feasibility and effectiveness of physical activity on prescription by measuring goal attainment, gross motor function and physical activity level.
Study hypothesisThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of PAP for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and its effectiveness on participation in physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Ethics approval(s)Regional Ethical Review Board at Lund University, 19/09/2013, ref: LU-Dnr 2013/521
ConditionCerebral palsy
InterventionAll participants take part in the physical activity on prescription (PAP) intervention. The PAP intervention consists of a written agreement between each child, their parents and the physiotherapist and is based on Motivational Interviewing (MI), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS).

Two months are calculated for the baseline-measurements and the discussions for reaching the agreements. The baseline-measurements involve:
1. Questionnaires regarding socioeconomic and clinical characteristics
2. Questionnaires regarding the frequency of the child’s physical activities at school, leisure time and physiotherapy
3. Questionnaires regarding physical activity
4. Measurement of gross motor function and physical activity
Each child participates after that in self-selected physical activities for six months.

The first follow-up is performed at eight months involves completion of questionnaires regarding the frequency of the child’s physical activities at school, leisure time and physiotherapy, questionnaires regarding physical activity and measurement of gross motor function and physical activity. The second follow-up is performed at 11 months, and involves completion of questionnaires regarding the frequency of the child’s physical activities at school, leisure time and physiotherapy, questionnaires regarding physical activity and measurement of physical activity.
The total duration of the intervention is 11 months.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureAchievement of goals is assessed using Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) at baseline, at 8 and 11 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. Performance problems, concerns and issues around their physical activities are identified and the performance and satisfaction levels in self-care, productivity and leisure are assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) at baseline, at 8 and 11 months. The performance and satisfaction levels are ranked and rated from the child’s perspective on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 1-10.
2. Gross motor function is assessed using The Gross Motor Function Measure 66 (GMFM-66) at baseline and at 8 months
3. Frequency of the child’s physical activities at school, leisure time and physiotherapy are recorded according to the questionnaire used in the National Quality Registry and CP Follow-Up Programme at baseline, at 8 and 11 months
4. Time children spend being physically active each day with light, moderate or vigorous intensity and how much time the child spent sedentary during the last seven days is assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at baseline, at 8 and 11 months
5. Physical activity is assessed using a triaxial accelerometer at baseline and 8 months
6. Activity information is assessed using time-use diaries at baseline and 8 months
Overall study start date01/02/2013
Overall study end date15/11/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Mixed
Age groupChild
Lower age limit7 Years
Upper age limit64 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants11 children and 18 parents
Total final enrolment11
Participant inclusion criteriaChildren:
1. Aged 7-11 years at baseline
2. Diagnosis of cerebral palsy
3. Gross and fine motor, communicative and cognitive functions
4. From both rural areas and cities in the south of Sweden

Parents:
1. Aged 36-64 years
2. Parents of participating children
Participant exclusion criteriaChildren:
1. Age younger than 7 years at baseline
2. Age older than 11 years at baseline
Recruitment start date20/09/2013
Recruitment end date30/10/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Sweden

Study participating centre

Lund University
Box 157
Department of Health Sciences
Faculty of Medicine
Lund
22100 Lund
Sweden

Sponsor information

Lund University
University/education

Faculty of Medicine
Box 157
Lund
221 00
Sweden

Phone +46 46 222 0000
Email info@med.lu.se
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/012a77v79

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Research Platform for Disability Studies in Rehabilitation

No information available

The Promobilia foundation (Stiftelsen Promobilia)

No information available

Swedish National Association for Disabled Children and Young People (Riksförbundet för Rörelsehindrade Barn och Ungdomar)
Private sector organisation / Associations and societies (private and public)
Alternative name(s)
Swedish National Association for Disabled Children and Young People, RBU
Location
Sweden

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication of study results in a high-impact peer reviewed journal and presentation at scientific conferences.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Katarina Lauruschkus (katarina.lauruschkus@med.lu.se)

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 28/11/2017 26/11/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

26/11/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.