Development of an outcome measurement system for service planning for children and youth with special needs
CanChild has worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Youth Service and Children's Treatment Centres (CTCs) to examine how service system outcomes should be measured. This paper, published in Child: Care, Health and Development, describes the process to develop a conceptual framework and identify appropriate outcome measures for a province-wide outcome measurement system. Three of these measures (CHIEF, MPOC-20, Supports and Services Questionnaire) were tested at three Ontario CTCs. One hundred and eighty-two families completed the questionnaires and feedback was used to ensure that the questionnaires for the proposed system are easy to complete and considered relevant by families and CTCs. Authors: MK Kertoy, DJ Russell, P Rosenbaum, S Jaffer, M Law, D McCauley, JW Gorter. Abstract.
Assessment of environmental factors in disabled children 2-12 years: Development and reliability of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) for Children-Parent Version
Feedback from the above pilot study indicated that some of the items on the CHIEF may not be relevant for children with a disability. The purpose of this paper, e-published recently in Child: Care, Health & Development, is to describe the adaptation process of the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) to make it suitable as a parent proxy measure for children with a disability aged 2-12 years. The adaptation process consisted of four steps using data from the Outcomes Study and previous research conducted at CanChild. The investigators concluded that the 10-item CHIEF for Children-Parent Version, which measures environmental factors influencing activity and participation for children with a disability, is acceptable, easy-to-complete and reliable. Authors: D McCauley, JW Gorter, DJ Russell, P Rosenbaum, M Law, M Kertoy. Abstract.
Accelerometry: A feasible method to quantify physical activity in ambulatory and nonambulatory adolescents with cerebral palsy
New technology (i.e., an accelerometer) provides the opportunity to measure someone's movement (physical activity) in the home, community, and at school. In the Stay-Fit pilot study, the physical activity of twenty-three adolescents with cerebral palsy was assessed using the ActiGraph GT1M activity monitor. The youth, including those with wheelchair mobility, tolerated the use of the accelerometer well. The team indicated that the minimal amount of active time found in this pilot study highlights the dire need for intervention studies to promote physical activity. Published in International Journal of Pediatrics. Authors: JW Gorter, SG Noorduyn, J Obeid, BW Timmons. Full access to article!
Arterial structure and function in ambulatory adolescents with cerebral palsy are not different from healthy controls
This study was also done as part of the Stay-FIT study. The study team assessed indices of arterial health in ambulatory adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) (n = 11), in comparison to age- and sex-matched controls. Groups were similar in anthropometric measurements, resting blood pressures, and heart rates. Although physical activity was lower in the adolescents with CP, their vessel health was not different from a control group. Authors: AA Martine, LM Cotie, BW Timmons, JW Gorter, MJ Macdonald. Full access to article!
Development of the Early Activity Scale for Endurance for children with cerebral palsy
The Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE), an 11-item self-report measure, was developed as a clinically feasible measure of endurance for physical activity in young children with cerebral palsy, and first used in the Move & PLAY study. In this article published in Pediatric Physical Therapy, validity and reliability are evaluated and discussed. The study team reported that EASE scores differed significantly by Gross Motor Function Classification System level, but not by age or gender (construct validity). The EASE correlated moderately with the 6-minute walk test, and test-retest reliability was high. Thus, the EASE has acceptable psychometrics for use in practice and research. Authors: S Westcott McCoy, A Yocum, DJ Bartlett, J Mendoza, L Jeffries, L Chiarello, RJ Palisano. Abstract.
Using shared goal setting to improve access and equity: a mixed methods study of the Good Goals intervention in children's occupational therapy
'Good Goals' is a practice-change intervention designed to improve access, equity and family-centeredness of children's therapy services through the use of patient identified goals. The report published in Implementation Science, describes the delivery and uptake of the Good Goals intervention in three occupational therapy services. Data were collected regarding service managers' and therapists' perceptions about changes in practice, actual changes in therapists' actions and children's length of time on caseloads, as well as other variables. Read more in the full access article and listen to Niina Kolehmainen describe the study in this brief video. Authors: N Kolehmainen, G Maclennan, L Ternent, EA Duncan, EM Duncas, SB Ryan, L McKee, JJ Francis. Full access to article!
