Poster 556 Feasibility of Peak Potential, an Adaptive Rock Climbing Program for Children with Cerebral Palsy and Physical Disabilities

Abstract

Disclosures: P. D. Bolikal, No Disclosures: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose. Objective: To test the hypothesis that participation in Peak Potentiala structured, volunteer-run adaptive indoor rock climbing programwill be feasible and will improve quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and physical disabilities. Design: Prospective repeated measures study. Setting: Indoor rock climbing gym. Participants: Thirty children between the ages of 4-17 have completed the study and preliminary data has been analyzed for the first 20 participants. Eighty-five percent of the participants had CP, 90% were minorities, 70% were male, and 65% were from lowincome families. Interventions: Weekly 1-hour climbing sessions for 12 weeks. Main Outcome Measures: QOL was measured at baseline, after week 6, and at completion of the program using the PedsQL scale, a standardized measure of QOL for children. Change in QOL was assessed using a within-subjects, repeatedmeasures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Self efficacy, as measured by the Perceived Physical Ability Scale for Children, was included in the analyses as a covariate. Rock climbing participation and progress were recorded weekly. Volunteer participation was also tracked. Results or Clinical Course: There was a small but non-significant increase in measures of self efficacy, and no statistically significant change in QOL. The participants collectively completed 760 climbs. Volunteers contributed 475 hours. The participant attendance rate was 77%. Conclusions: A 12 week adaptive rock climbing program for children with CP and physical disabilities is feasible with a good attendance rate. Although the data showed no significant change in QOL, the participants subjectively enjoyed the program and applied for more sessions. The lack of significance may be related to the small sample size and the relatively infrequent intervention (one session per week.) This is a pilot analysis of 20 children; further data will be available for analysis when more children have completed the program.