The effectiveness of family centered occupational therapy program on improvement motor skills of children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Cerebral palsy is the most common chronic physical disability and neurological complication in childhood. Active cooperation of parents in child rehabilitation programs, will facilitate the child's motor development. The present study was to determine the effectiveness of family centered occupational therapy program on motor skills development in children with spastic cerebral palsy are discussed. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study 20 children aged 5–7 years, with spastic cerebral palsy, who were independent ambulators, were recruited. Children were randomly assigned into a control group (n=10), experimental group (n=10). In addition to routine rehabilitation, the experimental group received 30 sessions of family based occupational therapy program. Motor skills was tested by Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). The data collected were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance. Results: Results show that the experimental group participated in the intervention program, compared with the control group, not only statistically significant difference has been shown (P=0/001), but the effect size (ηP2=0/62) demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention on motor skills in children with cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Family centered occupational therapy program beside routine rehabilitation programs can be important role in improving and developing of motor skills cerebral palsy children. Keywords: family centered, children cerebral palsy, motor skills.