Looking to the future: Adolescents with cerebral palsy talk about their aspirations - a narrative study
Researchers in Melbourne, Australia recently published this article in Disability & Rehabilitation. Their qualitative study used narrative inquiry methodology to explore the future hopes of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) with a focus on leisure activities. Three themes emerged: 'Keeping close relationships', 'Choosing a future life of one's own', 'Leisure in the years ahead'. The value of seeking information from adolescents with CP regarding their expectations for future study, employment, and recreational engagement is highlighted. Authors: A Cussen, L Howie, C Imms. Abstract. 

Play and be happy? Leisure participation and quality of life in school-aged children with cerebral palsy
The relationship between leisure participation and quality of life was examined in 63 school-aged children with cerebral palsy using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), respectively, in this study recently e-published in the International Journal of Pediatrics. A positive relationship was found between leisure participation and physical/psychosocial well-being. Further studies are needed, but researchers believe quality of life can be increased by activities adapted to the child's skills and preferences. Authors: K Shikako-Thomas, N Dahan-Oliel, M Shevell, M Law, R Bimbaum, P Rosenbaum, C Poulin, A Majnemer. Access to full article! 
 

The course of health-related quality of life of preschool children with cerebral palsy
In this article published in Disability & Rehabilitation, researchers from NetChild assessed Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) yearly in 72 children from the ages of 1.5 to 4.5 years. Domains measured were behavioural problems, lung problems, stomach problems, skin problems, sleeping problems, appetite, liveliness, positive mood, anxiety, social functioning, motor functioning, and communication. While HR-QoL was found to be stable for preschool children with cerebral palsy as a group, HR-QoL of these children may vary at an individual level. Authors: MW Alsem, M Ketelaar, M Verhoef. Abstract. 

A narrative review of generic intervention fidelity measures
Intervention fidelity is the degree to which an intervention is conducted as planned. Generic fidelity measures evaluate more than one intervention and often include therapy processes common to both. It is important to evaluate fidelity to increase the rigor of pediatric rehabilitation research. The objective of this study, e-published recently in Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, was to describe the characteristics of generic fidelity measures and examine how these attributes fit with pediatric rehabilitation. Authors: B Di Rezze, M Law, JW Gorter, K Eva, N Pollock. Abstract. 
 

Generic patient-reported outcomes in child health research: A review of conceptual content using World Health Organization definitions
The domains of commonly used Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) are defined in this study using World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. This was done to help clinicians and researchers match the content of the instrument to their intended purpose. When WHO definitions of functioning, disability and health (FDH) and quality of life (QoL) were applied to many PRO instruments, inconsistencies were found between measurement perspective of the PRO and the purpose to which those measures were being applied. This study aims to reduce ambiguity in what the generic instruments are intended to measure, and facilitate instrument selection that is based on content validation. Published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Authors: N Fayed, O Kraus de Camargo, E Kerr, P Rosenbaum, A Dubey, C Bostan, M Faulhaber, P Raina, A Cieza. Abstract.