Inter-rater reliability and agreement of the General Movement Assessment and Motor Optimality Score-Revised in a large population-based sample.

BACKGROUND: Prechtl's General Movement Assessment (GMA) at fidgety age (3-5 months) is a widely used tool for early detection of cerebral palsy. Further to GMA classification, detailed assessment of movement patterns at fidgety age is conducted with the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R). Inter-rater reliability and agreement are properties that inform test application and interpretation in clinical and research settings. This study aims to establish the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the GMA classification and MOS-R in a large population-based sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 773 infants from birth-cohort in Perth, Western Australia. GMA was conducted on home-recorded videos collected between 12 + 0 and 16 + 6 weeks post term age. Videos were independently scored by two masked experienced assessors. Inter-rater reliability and agreement were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient and limits of agreement respectively for continuous variables, and Cohen's Kappa and Gwet's Agreement Coefficient, and percentage agreement respectively for discrete variables. RESULTS: The classification of GMA showed almost perfect reliability (AC1 = 0.999) and agreement (99.9 %). Total MOS-R scores showed good-excellent reliability (ICC 0.857, 95 % CI 0.838-0.876) and clinically acceptable agreement (95 % limits of agreement of ±2.5 points). Substantial to almost perfect reliability and agreement were found for all MOS-R domain subscores. While MOS-R domains with higher redundancy in their categorisation have higher reliability and agreement, inter-rater reliability and agreement are substantial to almost perfect at the item level and are consistent across domains. CONCLUSION: GMA at fidgety age shows clinically acceptable inter-rater reliability and agreement for GMA classification and MOS-R for population-based cohorts assessed by experienced assessors.

How can we reach long-lasting inclusive participation for all? A vision for the future.

In 2022, an international conference was held focusing on 'participation'. We shared current evidence, identified knowledge gaps and worked together to understand what new knowledge and community and practice changes were needed. This brief communication is a summary of the conference delegates' discussions. We present the key assumptions we make about participation and propose what is needed to create change for societies, communities, families and individuals. While we have some robust evidence to support participation approaches, more is needed, and it is everyone's responsibility to build an inclusive society where participation for all is the reality.

Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey.

AIM: To evaluate the participation difficulties experienced by children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in home, school, and community environments. METHODS: The Impact for DCD survey was completed by primary caregivers of 4-18-year-old children with DCD (or synonymous diagnosis) (n = 429). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The greatest participation difficulties experienced at home included dressing, eating with utensils, self-care tasks and drawing/writing reported by over 70% of families. At school, fine motor difficulties were also frequently reported, with additional difficulties keeping up or completing tasks, and not feeling supported at school. Socialisation challenges and bullying were also commonly reported (34.9%). As a result of participation difficulties at school, 5.4% were home schooled. Many children engaged in community activity, with 72.0% currently engaged in at least one organised sports-based activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Increased recognition of the widespread impact of DCD in a child's life is crucial at an individual and societal level. Parents reported their children experiencing significant participation restrictions and difficulties. The findings of this large-scale study have revealed that most children with DCD are not receiving the support they need to thrive, especially at school. This largely reflects a lack of understanding and recognition of the condition and its associated challenges.

Embracing cancer complexity: Hallmarks of systemic disease.

The last 50 years have witnessed extraordinary developments in understanding mechanisms of carcinogenesis, synthesized as the hallmarks of cancer. Despite this logical framework, our understanding of the molecular basis of systemic manifestations and the underlying causes of cancer-related death remains incomplete. Looking forward, elucidating how tumors interact with distant organs and how multifaceted environmental and physiological parameters impinge on tumors and their hosts will be crucial for advances in preventing and more effectively treating human cancers. In this perspective, we discuss complexities of cancer as a systemic disease, including tumor initiation and promotion, tumor micro- and immune macro-environments, aging, metabolism and obesity, cancer cachexia, circadian rhythms, nervous system interactions, tumor-related thrombosis, and the microbiome. Model systems incorporating human genetic variation will be essential to decipher the mechanistic basis of these phenomena and unravel gene-environment interactions, providing a modern synthesis of molecular oncology that is primed to prevent cancers and improve patient quality of life and cancer outcomes.

Does somatosensory discrimination therapy alter sensorimotor upper limb function differently compared to motor therapy in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Besides motor impairments, up to 90% of the children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) present with somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. As somatosensory information is of utmost importance for coordinated movements and motor learning, somatosensory impairments can further compromise the effective use of the impaired upper limb in daily life activities. Yet, intervention approaches specifically designated to target these somatosensory impairments are insufficiently investigated in children and adolescents with uCP. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare the effectiveness of somatosensory discrimination therapy and dose-matched motor therapy to improve sensorimotor upper limb function in children and adolescents with uCP, who experience somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. We will further explore potential behavioral and neurological predictors of therapy response. METHODS: A parallel group, evaluator-blinded, phase-II, single-center RCT will be conducted for which 50 children and adolescents with uCP, aged 7 to 15 years, will be recruited. Participants will be randomized to receive 3 weekly sessions of 45 minutes of either somatosensory discrimination therapy or upper limb motor therapy for a period of 8 weeks. Stratification will be performed based on age, manual ability, and severity of tactile impairment at baseline. Sensorimotor upper limb function will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after the intervention and after 6 months follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be bimanual performance as measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcomes include a comprehensive test battery to objectify somatosensory function and measures of bimanual coordination, unimanual motor function, and goal attainment. Brain imaging will be performed at baseline to investigate structural brain lesion characteristics and structural connectivity of the white matter tracts. DISCUSSION: This protocol describes the design of an RCT comparing the effectiveness of somatosensory discrimination therapy and dose-matched motor therapy to improve sensorimotor upper limb function in children and adolescents with uCP. The results of this study may aid in the selection of the most effective upper limb therapy, specifically for children and adolescents with tactile impairments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06006065). Registered on August 8, 2023.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Early Irritability as a Transdiagnostic Neurodevelopmental Vulnerability to Later Mental Health Problems.

OBJECTIVE: Irritability is a transdiagnostic indicator of child and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems that is measurable from early life. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the strength of the association between irritability measured from 0 to 5 years and later internalizing and externalizing problems, to identify mediators and moderators of these relationships, and to explore whether the strength of the association varied according to irritability operationalization. METHOD: Relevant studies published in peer-reviewed, English-language journals between the years 2000 and 2021 were sought from EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ERIC. We synthesized studies that included a measure of irritability within the first 5 years of life and reported associations with later internalizing and/or externalizing problems. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI-SUMARI Critical Appraisal Checklist. RESULTS: Of 29,818 identified studies, 98 met inclusion criteria, with a total number of 932,229 participants. Meta-analysis was conducted on 70 studies (n = 831,913). Small, pooled associations were observed between infant irritability (0-12 months) and later internalizing (r = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.20) and externalizing symptoms (r = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.21) symptoms. For toddler/preschool irritability (13-60 months), small-to-moderate pooled associations were observed for internalizing (r = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.28) and externalizing (r = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.29) symptoms. These associations were not moderated by the lag between irritability and outcome assessment, although the strength of the associations varied according to irritability operationalization. CONCLUSION: Early irritability is a consistent transdiagnostic predictor of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in childhood and adolescence. More work is required to understand how to accurately characterize irritability across this developmental period, and to understand mechanisms underlying the relationship between early irritability and later mental health problems. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as living with a disability. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION: Early irritability as a transdiagnostic neurodevelopmental vulnerability to early onset mental health problems: A systematic review; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/; CRD42020214658.

Profiling the Longitudinal Development of Babbling in Infants with Cerebral Palsy: Validation of the Infant Monitor of Vocal Production (IMP) Using the Stark Assessment of Early Vocal Development-Revised (SAEVD-R).

AIM: We compared early vocal development in children "at risk" for cerebral palsy (CP) with typically developing (TD) infants aged 6 to 15 months using the SAEVD-R, investigating potential pre-linguistic markers of communication impairment. Additionally, we sought to examine the agreement between the SAEVD-R and IMP, which uses parent report, in identifying departure from typical vocal development in at-risk infants. METHOD: Utilising a longitudinal cohort study, >10,000 vocalisations of 33 infants (15 at risk for CP and 18 TD) were assessed at 6, 9, 12, and 15 months using the SAEVD-R. Generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) compared groups, and Spearman correlations explored IMP ceiling scores and SAEVD-R measures. RESULTS: At 6 months, both TD and CP groups reached SAEVD-R vocalisation level 3 (expansion). By 9 months, 51% of TD infants progressed to advanced babbling (levels 4 and 5), while 80% of at-risk infants remained at level 3. At 12 and 15 months, over 90% of TD children advanced, compared to 67% at 12 months and 53% at 15 months for at-risk infants, who stayed at the pre-canonical stage. Strong correlations were found between IMP scores and vocalisation levels at 9 and 12 months. Remaining at the pre-canonical stage at 12 months correlated with delayed vocal development as per IMP scores. INTERPRETATION: TD infants achieved higher SAEVD-R levels than at-risk infants. At 12 months, IMP scores effectively identified infants with speech-like vocalisation difficulties, demonstrating its clinical utility in identifying atypical vocal development in infants at risk for CP.

Participate CP 2: optimising participation in physically active leisure for children with cerebral palsy - protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) participate less in physical activities and have increased sedentary behaviour compared with typically developing peers. Participate CP is a participation-focused therapy intervention for children with CP with demonstrated efficacy in a phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) to increase perceived performance of physical activity participation goals. This study will test the effectiveness of Participate CP in a multisite phase III RCT. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: One hundred children with CP, aged 8-14 years, classified Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-IV will be randomised to either (1) receive Participate CP once/week for 1 hour for 12 weeks, or (2) waitlist control, usual care group. The waitlist group will then receive Participate CP following the 26-week retention time point. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 12 weeks and then 26 weeks post baseline. The primary outcomes are (1) self-reported participation goal performance on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure at 12 weeks and (2) daily time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Secondary outcomes include home and community participation frequency, involvement and environmental supportiveness, contextual barriers to participation, quality of life, intrinsic motivation for physical activities, child perception of an autonomy-supportive climate for physical activities and physical literacy at 12 and 26 weeks post study entry. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, The University of Queensland and the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committees have approved this study. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12618000206224.

Kindy Moves: the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme on goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with neurodisabilities requiring daily equipment and physical assistance.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme in improving goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with non-progressive neurodisabilities. The primary hypothesis was that the intervention would be feasible. DESIGN: A single group feasibility study. SETTING: An Australian paediatric community therapy provider. PARTICIPANTS: Forty children were recruited. Inclusion criteria were age 2-5 years with a non-progressive neurodisability, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V or equivalent, and goals relating to mobility, communication and upper limb function. Exclusion criteria included orthopaedic surgery in the past 6 months, unstable hip subluxation, uncontrolled seizure disorder or treadmill training in the past month. INTERVENTION: A goal-directed programme of three 2-hour sessions per week for 4 weeks (24 hours total). This consisted of treadmill and overground walking, communication practice, and upper limb tasks tailored by an interdisciplinary team. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Limited-efficacy measures from preintervention (T1) to postintervention (T2) and 4-week follow-up (T3) included the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and 10-Metre Walk Test (10MWT). Acceptability, demand, implementation and practicality were also explored. RESULTS: There were improvements at T2 compared with T1 for all limited-efficacy measures. The GAS improved at T2 (mean difference (MD) 27.7, 95% CI 25.8 to 29.5) as well as COPM performance (MD 3.2, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.6) and satisfaction (MD 3.3, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.8). The GMFM-66 (MD 2.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.5) and 10MWT (median difference -2.3, 95% CI -28.8 to 0.0) improved at T2. Almost all improvements were maintained at T3. Other feasibility components were also demonstrated. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: An intensive interdisciplinary programme is feasible in improving goal and motor outcomes for preschool children with neurodisabilities (GMFCS III-V or equivalent). A randomised controlled trial is warranted to establish efficacy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12619000064101.

ACTIVE STRIDES-CP: protocol for a randomised trial of intensive rehabilitation (combined intensive gait and cycling training) for children with moderate-to-severe bilateral cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: For children with cerebral palsy (CP), who are marginally ambulant, gross motor capacity peaks between 6 and 7 years of age with a subsequent clinical decline, impacting their ability to engage in physical activity. Active Strides-CP is a novel package of physiotherapy targeting body functions, activity and participation outcomes for children with bilateral CP. This study will compare Active Strides-CP to usual care in a multisite randomised waitlist-controlled trial. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 150 children with bilateral CP (5-15 years), classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III and IV will be stratified (GMFCS III vs IV, age 5-10 years; 11-15 years and trial site) and randomised to receive either (1) 8 weeks of Active Strides-CP two times/week for 1.5 hours in clinic and one time/week for 1 hour alternating home visits and telehealth (total dose=32 hours) or (2) usual care. Active Strides-CP comprises functional electrical stimulation cycling, partial body weight support treadmill training, overground walking, adapted community cycling and goal-directed training. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention at 9 weeks primary endpoint and at 26 weeks post-baseline for retention. The primary outcome is the Gross Motor Function Measure-66. Secondary outcomes include habitual physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, walking speed and distance, frequency/involvement of community participation, mobility, goal attainment and quality of life. Analyses will follow standard principles for randomised controlled trials using two-group comparisons on all participants on an intention-to-treat basis. Comparisons between groups for primary and secondary outcomes will be conducted using regression models. A within-trial cost utility analysis will be performed. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne and Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committees have approved this study. Results will be disseminated as conference abstracts and presentations, peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, and institution newsletters and media releases. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12621001133820.

Harnessing neuroplasticity to improve motor performance in infants with cerebral palsy: a study protocol for the GAME randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability of childhood worldwide. Historically the diagnosis was made between 12 and 24 months, meaning data about effective early interventions to improve motor outcomes are scant. In high-income countries, two in three children will walk. This evaluator-blinded randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of an early and sustained Goals-Activity-Motor Enrichment approach to improve motor and cognitive skills in infants with suspected or confirmed CP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Participants will be recruited from neonatal intensive care units and the community in Australia across four states. To be eligible for inclusion infants will be aged 3-6.5 months corrected for prematurity and have a diagnosis of CP or 'high risk of CP' according to the International Clinical Practice Guideline criteria. Eligible participants whose caregivers consent will be randomly allocated to receive usual care or weekly sessions at home from a GAME-trained study physiotherapist or occupational therapist, paired with a daily home programme, until age 2. The study requires 150 participants per group to detect a 0.5 SD difference in motor skills at 2 years of age, measured by the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2. Secondary outcomes include gross motor function, cognition, functional independence, social-emotional development and quality of life. A within-trial economic evaluation is also planned. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the Sydney Children's Hospital Network Human Ethics Committee in April 2017 (ref number HREC/17/SCHN/37). Outcomes will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, presentations at international conferences and consumer websites. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12617000006347.

Implications of providing wrist-hand orthoses for children with cerebral palsy: evidence from a randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of providing rigid wrist-hand orthoses plus usual multidisciplinary care, on reducing hand impairments in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A pragmatic, multicentre, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial aimed to enrol 194 children aged 5-15 years, with wrist flexor Modified Ashworth Scale score ≥1. Randomisation with concealed allocation was stratified by study site and passive wrist range. The treatment group received a rigid wrist-hand orthosis, to wear ≥6 h per night for 3 years. Analysis included repeated measures mixed-effects linear regression models, using intention-to-treat principles. RESULTS: The trial stopped early due to insufficient recruitment: 74 children, across all Manual Ability Classification System levels, were randomised (n = 38 orthosis group; n = 36 control). Mean age was 10.2 (SD 3.1) years (orthosis group) and 9.1 (SD 2.8) years (control). Data showed some evidence that rigid wrist-hand orthosis impacted passive wrist extension with fingers extended in the first year [mean difference between-groups at 6 months: 13.15° (95%CI: 0.81-25.48°, p = 0.04); 12 months: 20.94° (95%CI: 8.20-33.69°, p = 0.001)]. Beyond 18 months, participant numbers were insufficient for conclusive findings. CONCLUSION: The study provided detailed data about short- and long-term effects of the wrist-hand orthosis and highlighted challenges in conducting large randomised controlled trials with this population. Trial Registration: Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: U1111-1164-0572 IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThere may be incremental benefit, for children with cerebral palsy, at 6 and 12 months on passive wrist range from wearing a rigid wrist-hand orthosis designed according to this protocol.The rigid-wrist-hand orthosis evaluated in this study, which allowed for some tailoring for individual children's presentations, differed in design from past recommendations for "resting hand" positioning.Longitudinal follow up of children with cerebral palsy prescribed a rigid wrist-hand orthosis is essential to monitor any benefit.Minor adverse events were commonly experienced when wearing the orthosis and should be discussed prior to prescription of a rigid wrist-hand orthosis.

The Use of Serious Gaming to Improve Sensorimotor Function and Motivation in People with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review was to review the evidence for serious gaming interventions in improving sensorimotor function in children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Seven databases were searched with terms related to serious gaming and CP. Articles were evaluated according to the Downs and Black rating scale and important principles of serious gaming defined by Whyte et al. Extracted data included the population, intervention, serious gaming elements, outcomes, and authors' conclusions. Fifty-seven articles were identified for inclusion. Participants' ages ranged from 3 to 57 years. Interventions tested included commercial videogames as well as specially designed games. Most interventions had themed content, short-term goals, rewards, feedback, and multiple games. Outcome measures and study designs were inconsistent between studies. Sensorimotor function results of noncomparative studies were positive or neutral overall, but results of comparative studies were more mixed. We concluded that serious gaming interventions may be a useful adjunct to treatment as they are noninvasive, were not associated with deterioration in most cases, and may improve compliance. More comparative studies need to be completed to assess compliance and treatment outcomes. Future games should also aim to adhere more closely to the principles of serious gaming.

From guidelines to practice: A retrospective clinical cohort study investigating implementation of the early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy in a state-wide early intervention service.

OBJECTIVES: To report on knowledge translation strategies and outcomes from the implementation of the early detection guidelines for cerebral palsy (CP) in a state-wide tertiary early intervention (EI) service and investigate the impact of social determinants on clinical services. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: The Western Australia tertiary paediatric EI service. PARTICIPANTS: EI clinicians, consumers and children using the EI service. OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge translation strategies including consumer perspectives, clinician training and Communities of Practice (CoP) guided implementation. We measured changes in referral number and age, delivery of early detection and intervention following the implementation of the guidelines. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), appointment non-attendance (DNA) rates, remoteness and socioeconomic quintiles were used to measure social determinants of health using negative binomial (Incidence Rate Ratios, IRR) and logistic regression (Odds Ratios, ORs). RESULTS: Ten consumers participated in Focus Groups, 100 clinicians were trained and 22 clinicians established a monthly CoP. Referrals increased fourfold to 511 children. Corrected gestational age at referral decreased from a median of 16.1 to 5.1 months (p<0.001) and at first appointment from 18.8 to 6.8 months (p<0.001). Children living in social disadvantage had the highest DNA risk (quintile 1 vs 5: IRR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.6, p=0.037). Children exposed to ACEs had higher odds of living in social disadvantage (quintile 1 vs 5, OR=3.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 10.0, p=0.007). No significant association was found between remoteness and DNA rate or ACE score. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation strategies reduced referral age and improved the delivery of early detection assessments. Further investigation of the association between social disadvantage, DNA risk and ACE score is required in the development of a state-wide early detection network.

Severity of Food Insecurity among Australian University Students, Professional and Academic Staff.

Assessments of the severity of food insecurity within Australian university students are lacking, and the experience of food insecurity in Australian university staff is unknown. A cross-sectional online survey in March 2022 aimed to characterize the severity of food insecurity in students, professional and academic staff at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). The Household Food Security Survey Module six-item short form assessed food security status in addition to seven demographic and education characteristics for students and six demographic and employment characteristics for staff. Participants were categorized as having high, marginal, low, or very low food security. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified students and staff at higher risk of food insecurity. Among student respondents (n = 1257), the prevalence of food insecurity was 41.9% comprising 8.2% marginal, 16.5% low, and 17.3% very low food security. Younger, non-binary, first-year enrolled, on campus, and international students were at significantly higher risk of food insecurity. Among staff (n = 560), 16.3% were food insecure comprising 3.8% marginal, 5.5% low, and 7.0% very low food security. Professional staff, staff on casual contracts, and staff recently employed, were at significantly higher risk of food insecurity. Our findings suggest a high occurrence of food insecurity in UTAS students and staff, with a large proportion of food insecure staff and students experiencing very low food security. Our findings have implications for efforts towards reducing food insecurity at university campuses through a holistic and integrated approach, advocating for food systems that support healthy, sustainable, and equitable food procurement and provision for both university students and staff.

Construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test for use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: We investigate the construct validity, test re-test reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Twenty-eight children with spastic hemiplegic CP [mean age 10.8 years; SD 2.4 years] and 39 typically developing (TD) children [mean age 11 years; SD 2.9 years] participated in a cross-sectional study to investigate construct validity and association with an upper limb activity measure, the Box and Block Test (BBT). Twenty-two TD children were tested at a second time-point to examine reliability. Test responsiveness was determined by random allocation of 17 children with CP to a treatment (n = 10) or control (n = 7) group with assessments completed at four time-points. RESULTS: Significantly greater differences were observed in mean error of indicated wrist position (p < 0.01) in children with CP at baseline (M = 21.6°, SD = 21.6°) than in TD children (M = 12.8°, SD = 11.0°). Larger WPST errors were associated with poorer performance on the BBT (p < 0.01) indicating a substantial association, and there were no consistent differences between time-points indicating test re-test reliability within a TD population. The WPST demonstrated responsiveness to intervention with a statistically significant reduction in mean error following treatment (p < 0.001), not seen in the control group (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: The WPST demonstrated construct validity in this preliminary study. Scores were associated with an upper limb activity measure, and scores changed significantly following somatosensory training. These findings support further research and future psychometric investigation of the WPST in children with CP. KEY POINTS FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY: This study provides psychometric knowledge about the WPST tool The WPST shows promise as a discriminative measure with preliminary evidence of responsiveness and intra-rater reliability Until further testing, the WPST can be used cautiously in future research studies to measure wrist position sense.

A qualitative exploration of motivations and barriers for community leisure organisations' engagement with the Jooay™ mobile app.

PURPOSE: Participation in leisure activities is key to the physical and mental health of children and adolescents with disabilities. The Jooay™ mobile app aims to link children and adolescents with disability to participation opportunities in their community. This study explored the perspectives of community leisure organisations and their motivations and perceived barriers to be listed as a leisure service on Jooay™. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty representatives of community leisure organisations in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia were interviewed. Vroom's Expectancy Theory was used to shape the semi-structured interview guides. Data were analysed with thematic analysis using an inductive open coding approach. RESULTS: Four key themes pertaining to motivations and barriers to registration with Jooay™ were developed: Building reputation; Collaboration; Ability to deliver accessible leisure services; and Usability of Jooay™. Multiple motivating factors for registering on Jooay™ were identified including positive financial implications, meeting corporate social responsibilities, building collaborative stakeholder partnerships, and building organisational confidence and awareness of disability through supportive partnerships. Environmental and organisational barriers to inclusion were highlighted. CONCLUSION: Findings will inform future promotion of the features and benefits of Jooay™ to engage community leisure organisations. This may increase the number of accessible leisure services listed within the app, providing a greater selection of community leisure activities in which children and adolescents with disability can participate.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONCommunity leisure organisations would be motivated to engage with the JooayTM app, provided the right supports are in place for them.Additional benefits of registering on JooayTM may include positive financial implications, meeting corporate social responsibilities, building collaborative stakeholder partnerships, and building disability confidence and awareness through supportive partnerships.Ongoing education and support is needed for community leisure organisations regarding; disability awareness, competency, and capacity to deliver leisure services in inclusive and equitable ways. This will enable them to increase their accessibility for children with disabilities, particularly for non-disability-specific leisure organisations.Information about leisure services on the Jooay™ app builds capacity in the community to identify diverse access needs of children and young people with disabilities and the most effective strategies to address them.

Descriptive contents analysis of ParticiPAte CP: a participation-focused intervention to promote physical activity participation in children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: ParticiPAte CP is a participation-focused therapy intervention that is effective to increase perceived performance of physical activity (PA) participation goals in children with cerebral palsy (CP). We aimed to characterise the contents of ParticiPAte CP using validated behaviour change frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data came from physiotherapist treatment notes and were used to specify: (1) physiotherapist-perceived barriers to behaviour change (using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Framework [ICF] and Theoretical Domains Framework), intervention content (Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1), intervention functions (Behaviour Change Wheel) and mechanisms of action (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour model). RESULTS: Physiotherapist-perceived barriers to participation were identified in all ICF and Theoretical Domains Framework domains. ParticiPAte CP consisted of 32 behaviour change techniques, delivered via six intervention functions of the Behaviour Change Wheel, especially enablement. All six possible mechanisms of action were identified according to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour model. These were targeted most frequently through Theoretical Domains Framework domains social influences, environmental context and resources, intentions, skills, knowledge, and beliefs about capabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The content of a PA intervention for children with CP can be specified according to behaviour change frameworks. ParticiPAte CP was complex, with multiple targets, constituent behaviour change techniques and mechanisms of action. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615001064594.Implications for rehabilitationProviding social support to families through practical actions such as motivating conversation, providing information, linking families to community services and participating in activities with children to support their self-efficacy may be a defining feature of effective participation-focused therapies.If children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families nominate goals for increased frequency of attendance or improved involvement in physical activities (PAs), therapists must identify all important barriers to participation, including behavioural barriers that may be thought of less often (e.g. emotions, beliefs, optimism etc.).Promoting PA participation in children with CP may require a complex or multi-faceted therapy intervention that supports not only physical capability, but also enhances the social and physical opportunity for participation to take place and promotes the psychological capability and motivation for PA of children and families.Therapists or researchers may consider using the Behaviour Change Wheel to prospectively design their own health behaviour intervention for children with CP.

Is the search for cerebral palsy 'cures' a reasonable and appropriate goal in the 2020s?

In the field of disability research and advocacy, the notion of 'cures' is contentious. Cerebral palsy (CP) is no exception. In this narrative review, we combine perspectives gained during community consultation undertaken for the Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy, 2020 with those published in the scientific and grey literature to understand whether 'cures for CP' is a reasonable and appropriate goal. We frame these perspectives through the lens of several ethical principles central to the discussion. These include maintaining hope while also being realistic, sensitivity to sharply different viewpoints amongst people with disability and their families, and responding to community priorities, societal attitudes, and identity. Through this exploration of the literature and perspectives, we arrived at a definition of 'cures for CP' that is pluralized and focuses on functional improvement and/or symptom reduction whilst still acknowledging the potential for neural repair/regeneration strategies.

"Capturing the magic": identifying the active ingredients of a physical activity participation intervention for children and youth with disabilities.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to define the active ingredients of a participation-focused physical activity intervention for children and youth with disabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethnographic approach was employed, triangulating participant observation, interviews and focus groups. Participant recruitment occurred through purposive sampling of staff employed at Beitostolen Healthsports Centre (BHC), and paediatric service providers visiting the centre. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded together with observation data. Secondary coding linked data to corresponding categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Child and Youth version. RESULTS: Thirteen staff from BHC and 7 paediatric service providers participated in the study. Fourteen active ingredients were identified and were characterised at the level of the intervention (k = 8), the organisation (k = 4), and the individual (k = 2). Within the ingredients, 53 unique ICF-CY categories were identified. Twenty-six categories belonged to the ICF-CY component of "environment," and 26 categories to "activities and participation." No categories related to "body functions" or "body structures." CONCLUSIONS: The role of the environment, and specifically support and relationships, may be an essential consideration for enabling physical activity participation. Outcomes may guide program design and implementation to promote and sustain physical activity behaviours for children and youth with disabilities.Implications for rehabilitationThe active ingredients identified in this study may guide the design and implementation of programs to promote and sustain physical activity behaviours of children and youth with disabilities.Leadership qualities and strength-based attitudes may be key characteristics of organisational practice that optimise outcomes for children and families.A "relationship-centred" approach, i.e., a network of children, families, health professionals, peers, mentors, and services in the community, may support children and young people with disabilities to achieve their physical activity participation goals.