A Longitudinal Study of Movement and Participation in Life Activities of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy in Taiwan

CP describes a group of disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to non-progressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of CP are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behavior, by epilepsy, and by secondary musculoskeletal problems. Furthermore, the accompanied disturbances in children with CP further influence movement and participation in life activities (MPLA) of the affected child. Most researches investigated the longitudinal study of functions in adolescent or adult with CP, however, few researches investigate these functions in children with CP. Three fundamental goals of early rehabilitation for children with CP are: optimizing motor function within each child’s prognostic potential, preventing the development of secondary conditions that impact life-long health, and promoting children’s participation in their lives. Knowledge of these developmental patterns in MPLA may be helpful in understanding, anticipating, and managing the problems of these children. We hypothesize that the course of developmental patterns in MPLA of young children with CP evolves with their age. This study investigates the longitudinal course of developmental patterns in MPLA of young children with CP in Taiwan. Additionally, the predictors in the initial stage in determining the final developmental patterns in MPLA of these children will be identified. This study includes a validity and reliability study and a prospective longitudinal study of young children with CP over one-year. This study will be executed in 4 years: 1st year: a validity and reliability study of MPLA assessment of 30-40 young children with CP; 2nd -3rd year: a prospective one-year follow-up study of 100-120 young children with CP in Linko and Taoyan areas; and 3rd- 4th year: a prospective one-year follow-up study of 80-100 young children with CP in Taipei, Keelung, Chiayi, and Kaoshung areas. In a prospective longitudinal study, each participant received 3-times MPLA measurements: at the beginning, 6 months later, and one year after the first data collection point. We believe the results of this study will refine services and supports for young children with CP to meet these goals. The primary objectives of this study is to develop the Chinese version of MPLA assessment of Young Children with CP, to identify the child, family, and service determinants that together explain the change in basic motor abilities, self-care and play of young children with CP over a one-year period. The secondary objectives is to determine the sensitivity-to-change of the Child Engagement in Daily Life Measure, and to determine the intervention variables that are associated with greatest change in basic motor abilities, self-care and play over a one-year period.

Project ID:PC10001-0080
External Project ID:NSC98-2314-B182-006-MY3