Effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on participation in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Participation in life activities is an integral part of health and a main outcome of rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with disabilities. However, there is still no consensus on the most effective way to improve participation. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on participation outcomes of children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: A systematic review was conducted, searching the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Science and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), between 2001 and 2023. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated children with CP undergoing any intervention and using any tool measuring participation as an outcome measure. A meta-analysis of treatment effect was conducted. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the effect on participation when intervention targeted different International Classification of Functioning (ICF) domains. RESULTS: A total of 1572 records were identified. Eight RCTs including 384 children (195 in the intervention group and 189 in the control group) were included in the systematic review and in the meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis showed that interventions focusing on participation significantly improved participation; standardized mean difference (1.83; 95% CI: 1.33-2.32; Z = 7.21; P < 0.00001). When other types of interventions, that is, focusing on body functions and structures or activities, were used, then participation was not favourably affected. INTERPRETATION: Interventions primarily targeting barriers to participation across several ICF domains have a greater influence on enhancing participation. Interventions aimed at enhancing specific motor skills, including gross and fine motor function or strength, do not necessarily have a positive impact on participation.

Estimates of functional muscle strength from a novel progressive lateral step-up test are feasible, reliable, and related to physical activity in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if estimates of functional muscle strength from a novel progressive lateral-step-up test (LSUT) are feasible, reliable, and related to physical activity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional; test-retest reliability Subjects/Patients: Children with CP and typically developing control children (n = 45/group). METHODS: An LSUT with 10, 15, and 20 cm step heights was completed. It was repeated 4 weeks later in 20 children with CP. A composite score of LSUT was calculated based on the step height and number of repetitions completed. Physical activity was assessed using monitors worn on the ankle and hip. RESULTS: Only 4 (13%) of the children with CP were unable to complete a lateral step-up repetition without assistance. All children were able to complete at least 1 repetition with assistance, though more than twice as many children with CP required assistance at 15 and 20 cm step heights than at the 10 cm step height (p < 0.01). Children with CP had 59 to 63% lower LSUT performance, 37% lower physical activity assessed at the ankle, and 22% lower physical activity assessed at the hip than controls (all p < 0.01). The intra-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.91 to 0.96 for LSUT performance at the different step heights and was 0.97 for the composite score. All LSUT performance measures were positively related to ankle physical activity in children with CP (r range = 0.43 to 0.47, all p < 0.01). Only performance at 20 cm and the composite score were positively related to hip physical activity (r = 0.33 and 0.31, respectively, both p < 0.05). The relationship between the LSUT performance and physical activity at both the ankle and hip increased when age and sex were statistically controlled (model r range = 0.55 to 0.60, all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Estimates of functional muscle strength from a novel progressive LSUT are feasible, reliable, and positively related to physical activity in children with CP.

Methods of muscle spasticity assessment in children with cerebral palsy: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Evaluating muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is essential for determining the most effective treatment strategies. This scoping review assesses the current methods used to evaluate muscle spasticity, highlighting both traditional and innovative technologies, and their respective advantages and limitations. METHODS: A search (to April 2024) used keywords such as muscle spasticity, cerebral palsy, and assessment methods. Selection criteria included articles involving CP children, assessing spasticity objectively/subjectively, comparing methods, or evaluating method effectiveness. RESULTS: From an initial pool of 1971 articles, 30 met our inclusion criteria. These studies collectively appraised a variety of techniques ranging from well-established clinical scales like the modified Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale, to cutting-edge technologies such as real-time sonoelastography and inertial sensors. Notably, innovative methods such as the dynamic evaluation of range of motion scale and the stiffness tool were highlighted for their potential to provide more nuanced and precise assessments of spasticity. The review unveiled a critical insight: while traditional methods are convenient and widely used, they often fall short in reliability and objectivity. CONCLUSION: The review discussed the strengths and limitations of each method and concluded that more reliable methods are needed to measure the level of muscle spasticity more accurately.

Design, Development, and Functional Validation of a 3D-Printed Passive Upper Limb Exoskeleton.

Motor disability in children is evident in diagnoses such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or spinal muscular atrophy, among others, due to altered movement and postural patterns. This becomes more evident as the child grows and can be treated with physical therapy. The effectiveness of early interventions in facilitating an improvement in daily life activities varies depending on the child's condition. In this context, the use of exoskeletons has emerged in recent years as a valuable resource for conducting more efficient therapy processes. This work describes the design (both structural and functional) and preliminary usability and functional validation of a 3D-printed passive upper limb exoskeleton. The goal is to provide clinicians with an efficient, low-cost device that is both easy to manufacture and assemble and, in a gamified environment, serves as an assistive device to physical therapy. The device features 5 degrees of freedom, enabling both a pro-gravity and an anti-gravity mode, controlled by a series of elastic bands. This gives rise to a dual operating mode, offering assistance or resistance to different arm, forearm, and shoulder-dependent movements. Usability validation conducted by exoskeleton users showed average results in all aspects rated above 3.8 out of 5, which implies levels of satisfaction between "quite satisfied" and "very satisfied". The analysis of metrics recorded during therapy, such as the Hand Path Ratio and Success Rate (capturing user movements using an inertial sensor in the gamified environment), as well as the range of motion, reveals quantifiable improvements which can be attributed to the use of the exoskeleton: the Hand Path Ratio tended to approach 1 throughout sessions in almost all the users, the Success Rate remained stable (as users consistently were capable of completing the assigned tasks), and the range of motion showed that all patients achieved improvements of more than 10 degrees in some of the tested movements). These functional validation processes involved the participation of 7 children with varying levels of upper limb neuro-motor impairments.

Knee Angle Estimation from Surface EMG during Walking Using Attention-Based Deep Recurrent Neural Networks: Feasibility and Initial Demonstration in Cerebral Palsy.

Accurately estimating knee joint angle during walking from surface electromyography (sEMG) signals can enable more natural control of wearable robotics like exoskeletons. However, challenges exist due to variability across individuals and sessions. This study evaluates an attention-based deep recurrent neural network combining gated recurrent units (GRUs) and an attention mechanism (AM) for knee angle estimation. Three experiments were conducted. First, the GRU-AM model was tested on four healthy adolescents, demonstrating improved estimation compared to GRU alone. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the key contributing muscles were the knee flexor and extensors, highlighting the ability of the AM to focus on the most salient inputs. Second, transfer learning was shown by pretraining the model on an open source dataset before additional training and testing on the four adolescents. Third, the model was progressively adapted over three sessions for one child with cerebral palsy (CP). The GRU-AM model demonstrated robust knee angle estimation across participants with healthy participants (mean RMSE 7 degrees) and participants with CP (RMSE 37 degrees). Further, estimation accuracy improved by 14 degrees on average across successive sessions of walking in the child with CP. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using attention-based deep networks for joint angle estimation in adolescents and clinical populations and support their further development for deployment in wearable robotics.

Identification of potential biomarkers for cerebral palsy and the development of prediction models.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent motor disorder originating from early brain injury or malformation, with significant variability in its clinical presentation and etiology. Early diagnosis and personalized therapeutic interventions are hindered by the lack of reliable biomarkers. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers for cerebral palsy and develop predictive models to enhance early diagnosis and prognosis. We conducted a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of gene expression profiles in muscle samples from CP patients to identify candidate biomarkers. Six key genes (CKMT2, TNNT2, MYH4, MYH1, GOT1, and LPL) were validated in an independent cohort, and potential biological pathways and molecular networks involved in CP pathogenesis were analyzed. The importance of processes such as functional regulation, energy metabolism, and cell signaling pathways in the muscles of CP patients was emphasized. Predictive models of muscle sample biomarkers related to CP were developed and visualized. Calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that the predictive models exhibit high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing individuals at risk of CP. The identified biomarkers and developed prediction models offer significant potential for early diagnosis and personalized management of CP. Future research should focus on validating these biomarkers in larger cohorts and integrating them into clinical practice to improve outcomes for individuals with CP.

Treatment with robot-assisted gait trainer Walkbot along with physiotherapy vs. isolated physiotherapy in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Improving walking ability is a key objective in the treatment of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, since it directly affects their activity and participation. In recent years, robotic technology has been implemented in gait treatment, which allows training of longer duration and repetition of the movement. To know the effectiveness of a treatment with the robotic-assisted gait trainer Walkbot combined with physiotherapy compared to the isolated physiotherapy treatment in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, we carried out a clinical trial. METHODS: 23 participants, were divided into two groups: experimental and control. During 5 weeks, both groups received their physiotherapy sessions scheduled, in addition experimental group received 4 sessions per week of 40 min of robot. An evaluation of the participants was carried out before the intervention, at the end of the intervention, and at follow-up (two months after the end of the intervention). Gait was assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 dimensions D and E, strength was measured with a hydraulic dynamometer, and range of motion was assessed using the goniometer. A mixed ANOVA was performed when the assumptions of normality and homoscedasticity were met, and a robust mixed ANOVA was performed when these assumptions were not met. Statistical significance was stipulated at p < 0.05. For the effect size, η2 was calculated. RESULTS: Significant differences were found regarding the time x group interaction in the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 in dimension D [η2 = 0.016], in the flexion strength of the left [η2 = 0.128] and right [η2 = 0.142] hips, in the extension strength of the right hip [η2 = 0.035], in the abduction strength of the left hip [η2 = 0.179] and right [η2 = 0.196], in the flexion strength of the left knee [η2 = 0.222] and right [η2 = 0.147], and in the range of motion of left [η2 = 0.071] and right [η2 = 0.053] knee flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to treatments without walking robot, physiotherapy treatment including Walkbot improves standing, muscle strength, and knee range of motion in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04329793. First posted: April 1, 2020.

A Relook at Cerebral Palsy Beyond Motor Pathology: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sensory Processing Abilities.

BACKGROUND: Sensory processing refers to receiving, organizing, and interpreting sensory stimuli from the sensory system. Unlike other neurodevelopmental disorders, knowledge about the sensory processing abilities of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To study the difference in sensory processing abilities of children with cerebral palsy in comparison to age matched typically developing children (TDC). METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional analysis of sensory processing abilities of children with CP and TDC was performed from July 2018 through February 2020. The child sensory profile2 (CSP2) caregiver questionnaire was used to detect sensory processing differences (SPD) across nine sensory domains and four sensory processing patterns. A comparison was made between the two study groups as well as between the CP subtypes. RESULT: Around 226 children with CP and 58 TDC were screened. Finally, 150 children with CP and 50 TDC were enrolled. Probable SPD (>1SD) was observed in (121/150) 80.7% of children with CP compared to (13/50) 26% in TDC (p < 0.001). Definite SPD (>2SD) was seen in 40.7% (61/150) of children with CP vs. none in TDC (p < 0.001). The body position domain which tests the vestibular and proprioceptive processing was primarily affected in CP. Most children with CP fell under the "bystander" pattern suggesting poor registration of sensory stimuli. No significant difference in the pattern of sensory processing was observed between the CP subtypes. Prevalence of definite SPD positively correlated with the gross motor functional classification system level. CONCLUSION: Sensory processing abilities of children with CP differ significantly from TDC. Proprioceptive and vestibular sensory processing is primarily affected in CP.

A randomized cross-over study protocol to evaluate long-term gait training with a pediatric robotic exoskeleton outside the clinical setting in children with movement disorders.

Individuals with neuromuscular disorders display a combination of motor control deficits and lower limb weakness contributing to knee extension deficiency characterized by exaggerated stance phase knee flexion. There is a lack of evidence for long-term improvement of knee extension deficiency with currently available clinical treatment programs. Our previous work testing a wearable robotic exoskeleton with precisely timed assistive torque applied at the knee showed immediate increases in knee extension during walking for children with cerebral palsy, which continued to improve over an acute practice period. When we applied interleaved assistance and resistance to knee extension, we observed improvements in knee extension and increased muscle activation indicating the potential for muscle strengthening when used over time. There is a need for additional, high-quality trials to assess the impact of dosage, intensity and volume of training necessary to see persistent improvement in lower limb function for these patient populations. This randomized crossover study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05726591) was designed to determine whether 12 weeks of overground gait training with a robotic exoskeleton outside of the clinical setting, following an initial in clinic accommodation period, has a beneficial effect on walking ability, muscle activity and overall motor function. Participants will be randomized to either complete the exoskeleton intervention or continue their standard therapy for 12 weeks first, followed by a crossover to the other study component. The primary outcome measure is change in peak knee extension angle during walking; secondary outcome measures include gait speed, strength, and validated clinical scales of motor function and mobility. Assessments will be completed before and after the intervention and at 6 weeks post-intervention, and safety and compliance will be monitored throughout. We hypothesize that the 12-week exoskeleton intervention outside the clinical setting will show greater improvements in study outcome measures than the standard therapy.

Implementation of remote general movement assessment using the in-motion instructions in a high-risk norwegian cohort.

BACKGROUND: General Movement Assessment (GMA) is recommended for early detection of risk for cerebral palsy but requires trained clinical experts. We aimed to implement home- and hospital-based filming for remote GMA in a Norwegian high-risk infant cohort, as well as evaluating parents' experiences in filming their infant at home. METHODS: This knowledge translational study used a prospective cohort design including participants referred to neurodevelopmental follow-up across three sites in the Central Norway Regional Health Authority. Two home films of the fidgety type of general movements were collected between 12+1-14+6 and 15+1-17+6 weeks after term by parents. An additional film was collected at the hospital between 12+1 and 17+6 weeks after term. The instructional guide for all filming was the In-Motion App standards. Videos were transferred to a remote GMA team and classified as either "GMA scorable" or "GMA not scorable" based on Prechtl's GMA standards. Parents responded to an online survey using a 5-point Likert scale to collect information about their perspectives, experiences, and possible worries by filming their infant at home. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-two infants from 95 families participated. Ninety-two (96.8%) families transferred 177 home-based videos. Eighty-four (92%) of these had 95 videos taken in their local hospital. All 177 home-videos were "GMA scorable" and three (3,1%) out of 95 hospital-based videos were classified as "GMA not scorable". Eight families did not respond to the survey and two families did not receive the survey due to a technical error. Seventy-eight (91.7%) respondents agreed or strongly agreed that it was easy to perform home filming and five (5.9%) agreed that they were more worried about their child`s development after filming at home. Almost 80% of respondents agreed that a video for GMA can be taken at home instead of in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: This study strengthens the clinical implementation of home filming by parents and remote GMA for early detection of CP in high-risk follow-up programs. The implementation of remote GMA has the potential to facilitate early intervention to improve function in children with CP in line with international recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04287166 Date of registration: 27/02/2020.

Prenatal Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and Cerebral Palsy.

Importance: Air pollution is associated with structural brain changes, disruption of neurogenesis, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The association between prenatal exposure to ambient air pollution and risk of cerebral palsy (CP), which is the most common motor disability in childhood, has not been thoroughly investigated. Objective: To evaluate the associations between prenatal residential exposure to ambient air pollution and risk of CP among children born at term gestation in a population cohort in Ontario, Canada. Design, Setting, and Participants: Population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada using linked, province-wide health administrative databases. Participants were singleton full term births (≥37 gestational weeks) born in Ontario hospitals between April 1, 2002, and March 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from January to December 2022. Exposures: Weekly average concentrations of ambient fine particulate matter with a diameter 2.5 µm (PM2.5) or smaller, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3) during pregnancy assigned by maternal residence reported at delivery from satellite-based estimates and ground-level monitoring data. Main outcome and measures: CP cases were ascertained by a single inpatient hospitalization diagnosis or at least 2 outpatient diagnoses for children from birth to age 18 years. Results: The present study included 1 587 935 mother-child pairs who reached term gestation, among whom 3170 (0.2%) children were diagnosed with CP. The study population had a mean (SD) maternal age of 30.1 (5.6) years and 811 745 infants (51.1%) were male. A per IQR increase (2.7 µg/m3) in prenatal ambient PM2.5 concentration was associated with a cumulative hazard ratio (CHR) of 1.12 (95% CI, 1.03-1.21) for CP. The CHR in male infants (1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26) was higher compared with the CHR in female infants (1.08; 95% CI, 0.96-1.22). No specific window of susceptibility was found for prenatal PM2.5 exposure and CP in the study population. No associations or windows of susceptibility were found for prenatal NO2 or O3 exposure and CP risk. Conclusions and relevance: In this large cohort study of singleton full term births in Canada, prenatal ambient PM2.5 exposure was associated with an increased risk of CP in offspring. Further studies are needed to explore this association and its potential biological pathways, which could advance the identification of environmental risk factors of CP in early life.

HABIT training in unilateral spastic cerebral palsy children having mirror movement disorder.

The single-arm feasibility study was planned to evaluate the therapeutic effect of hand arm bimanual intensive training in improving the fine and gross motor functions of hand, and in the reduction of intensity with respect to mirror movement disorder. The sample comprised unilateral spastic cerebral palsy children aged 6-16 years who were having mirror movement disorder and were able to make a gross grip. The hand arm bimanual intensive training was provided to the participants for 6 hours per day for 15 days for a total of 90 hours. Comparison of baseline and post-intervention showed that the functional independence level of children had improved, with improvement in unimanual and bimanual hand performance (p˂0.05). However, there was no improvement seen in the severity of mirror movements (p>0.05). Hence, hand arm bimanual intensive training was found to be effective in increasing the functional independence of cerebral palsy children by improving the hand function, but there was no effect on mirror movement disorder.

The effects of ankle mulligan mobilisation in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized single blind control study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of range of motion changes before and after Mulligan mobilisation with ankle movement interventions on the daily lives of children with diplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: The single blind randomised controlled study was conducted from July 30, 2022, to January 10, 2023, at 3 rehabilitation centres in Hebron, Palestine, after approval from the ethics review committee of Eastern Mediterranean University, Northern Cyprus, and comprised children with cerebral palsy, who were randomised into intervention group IG and control group CG. All the subjects received regular physiotherapy sessions, overseen by their parents, while those in group IG received mobilisation with ankle movement treatment 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Post-intervention assessment of ankle range of motion, balance, functional performance and quality of life was done using a goniometer, the timed up and go test, 88-item gross motor function measure, 6-minute walk test and the cerebral palsy quality of life questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 64 patients, 40(63%) were girls, and 24(37%) were boys. The overall age range was aged 4-12 years. There were 32(50%) patients in each of the two groups. Mobilisation with movement had a significant effect on active and passive range of motion for the left and right ankles (p<0.05) as well as on balance, gross motor function and quality of life (p>0.05). However, mobilisation with movement had no significant effect on the the distance covered during the 6-minute walk test (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mobilisation with movement had a significant impact on active and passive ankle range of motion, balance and quality of life in diplegic children with cerebral palsy, but it had no impact on gait function. Clinical trial registration number: The study was registered at the United States National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) with registration number NCT05500924.

Mental Health Diagnoses Risk Among Children and Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, or Typical Development.

Importance: Mental health (MH) issues in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are poorly understood compared with other pediatric populations. Objective: To examine MH diagnosis code assignment among children and young adults with CP and compare with typically developing (TD) and chronic condition (CC) pediatric populations. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case-control study used International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes to create a CP case set and CC and TD control sets using electronic health record data of children and young adults from a large tertiary care children's hospital in the midwestern United States between 2010 and 2022. Case-control matching was performed to control for demographic factors. Data were analyzed from June to December 2023. Exposures: All MH diagnosis codes were mapped to ICD-10-CM and categorized using Clinical Classifications Software Refined (CCSR). Main Outcomes and Measures: The incidence rates of MH CCSR categories were calculated. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to evaluate the significance and odds associated with factors. Results: Data from 216 794 individuals (mean [SD] baseline age, 4.3 [5.1] years; 118 562 [55%] male) were analyzed, including 3544 individuals with CP, 142 160 individuals with CC, and 71 080 TD individuals. The CP cohort spread across Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I (981 individuals [28%]), II (645 individuals [18%]), III (346 individuals [10%]), IV (502 individuals [14%]), and V (618 individuals [17%]). Rates varied significantly for anxiety (824 individuals with CP [23%]; 25 877 individuals with CC [9%]; 6274 individuals with TD [18%]), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (534 individuals with CP [15%]; 22 426 individuals with CC [9%]; 6311 individuals with TD [16%]); conduct or impulse disorder (504 individuals with CP [14%]; 13 209 individuals with CC [5%]; 3715 individuals with TD [9%]), trauma or stress disorders (343 individuals with CP [10%]; 18 229 individuals with CC [8%]; 5329 individuals with TD [13%]), obsessive-compulsive disorder (251 individuals with CP [7%]; 3795 individuals with CC [1%]; 659 individuals with TD [3%]), depression (108 individuals with CP [3%]; 12 224 individuals with CC [5%]; 4007 individuals with TD [9%]), mood disorders (74 individuals with CP [2%]; 4355 individuals with CC [2%]; 1181 individuals with TD [3%]), and suicidal ideation (72 individuals with CP [2%]; 7422 individuals with CC [5%]; 3513 individuals with TD [5%]). There was significant variation in odds of MH diagnoses by GMFCS level (I-II vs III-V: odds ratio [OR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09-1.40; P = .001). Among individuals with CP, males were more likely than females to have diagnosis codes for conduct or impulse disorders (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.73) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.15-1.73]). Black individuals, compared with White individuals, were more likely to have diagnoses for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.14-2.16]), other mood disorders (OR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.01-3.38]), and trauma or stress disorders (OR, 1.94 [95% CI, 1.44-2.63]). Odds for trauma or stress disorders were elevated for individuals who identified as other races compared with White individuals (OR, 2.80 [95% CI, 2.03-3.87]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this case-control study of children and young adults with CP and matched comparisons, anxiety and conduct or impulse diagnoses were higher in individuals with CP. The lower diagnosis rates of depression and suicidal ideation may indicate underdiagnosis among individuals with CP. There is likely a need for assessment tools that are more suitable for children with CP.

"This can certainly work ": stakeholder perspectives of the feasibility of a caregiver-led training program for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in a rural setting in Malawi.

Introduction: Caregiver training is a key component of rehabilitation for children with complex lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy. However critical shortages of therapists in low- and middle-income countries like Malawi, reduce access to therapy. Introducing expert caregivers to assist with the provision of basic training on the condition for fellow caregivers offers a potential solution. However, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the implementation of such strategies in low-resource settings. The aim of this study was to explore perspectives of stakeholders regarding the feasibility of implementing a caregiver-led and delivered training program for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Malawi. Methods: Over 5 days in January 2023, a caregiver-led training program, the "Malamulele Onward Carer-to-Carer Training Program," was conducted in Blantyre, Malawi. A South African master trainer traveled to Malawi and delivered the program to potential stakeholders including caregivers of children with cerebral palsy; physiotherapists; and community-based organization representatives. Stakeholder perspectives regarding the acceptability, demand, practicality and adaptation of the program were obtained through a combination of focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and daily field notes. Data from the focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The caregiver-led training program was deemed acceptable despite two areas identified as potential areas of concern; that the expert caregivers may cross practice boundaries and that their fellow caregivers may look down upon them. A demand for this program was expressed because of perceived relative advantages and relevance to caregiver needs. Participants indicated that the intervention could be easily delivered using local materials, absorbed and supported by existing community structures. Conclusion: A caregiver-led training program offers an innovative way of supporting caregivers of children with complex disabilities such as cerebral palsy in low-resource settings. The stakeholder engagement demonstrated the positive perspectives of all stakeholders. The areas for modification and adaptation highlighted by the stakeholders will be useful in strengthening the implementation of the program in Malawi.

EPIC-CP pilot trial study protocol: a multicentre, randomised controlled trial investigating the feasibility and acceptability of social prescribing for Australian children with cerebral palsy.

INTRODUCTION: The social determinants of health contribute to poorer health outcomes for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and are barriers to families accessing health services. At an individual level, social determinants of health are experienced as unmet social needs, for example, unsafe housing conditions. There is emerging evidence that clinical pathways for the systematic identification and referral to services for unmet social needs can support families to address these needs. These clinical pathways have not been implemented for children with CP. The objectives are to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of two co-designed social needs clinical pathways for parents/caregivers of children with CP-social prescribing (ie, Community Linker plus resource pack) compared with resource pack only. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This pilot randomised controlled trial will run at the three tertiary paediatric rehabilitation services in New South Wales, Australia. A total of 120 participants will be recruited, with randomisation stratified by study site. A survey tool will be used to identify families experiencing unmet social needs. Parents/caregivers who report one or more unmet social need/s and consent will be eligible. The active control group will receive a resource pack containing information on community services to support unmet social needs. The social prescribing intervention group will receive one-on-one Community Linker support, in addition to the resource pack. The survey tool, intervention, logic model, and resource pack were co-designed with patient families and their healthcare workers. Feasibility of the research design and the clinical pathways will be evaluated using the number/proportion of parents/caregivers who complete the survey tool, consent, engage with the intervention, and complete research measures. Acceptability will be evaluated using questionnaires and qualitative interviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Human research ethics approval was granted by the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network Human Research Ethics Committee (2022/ETH01688). Participants and stakeholders will receive updates and findings via regular communication channels including meetings, presentations, and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: 12622001459718.

Collagen architecture and biomechanics of gracilis and adductor longus muscles from children with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) describes some upper motoneuron disorders due to non-progressive disturbances occurring in the developing brain that cause progressive changes to muscle. While longer sarcomeres increase muscle stiffness in patients with CP compared to typically developing (TD) patients, changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture can increase stiffness. Our goal was to investigate how changes in muscle and ECM architecture impact muscle stiffness, gait and joint function in CP. Gracilis and adductor longus biopsies were collected from children with CP undergoing tendon lengthening surgery for hamstring and hip adduction contractures, respectively. Gracilis biopsies were collected from TD patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery with hamstring autograft. Muscle mechanical testing, two-photon imaging and hydroxyproline assay were performed on biopsies. Corresponding data were compared to radiographic hip displacement in CP adductors (CPA), gait kinematics in CP hamstrings (CPH), and joint range of motion in CPA and CPH. We found at matched sarcomere lengths muscle stiffness and collagen architecture were similar between TD and CP hamstrings. However, CPH stiffness (R2 = 0.1973), collagen content (R2 = 0.5099) and cross-linking (R2 = 0.3233) were correlated to decreased knee range of motion. Additionally, we observed collagen fibres within the muscle ECM increase alignment during muscular stretching. These data demonstrate that while ECM architecture is similar between TD and CP hamstrings, collagen fibres biomechanics are sensitive to muscle strain and may be altered at longer in vivo sarcomere lengths in CP muscle. Future studies could evaluate the impact of ECM architecture on TD and CP muscle stiffness across in vivo operating ranges. KEY POINTS: At matched sarcomere lengths, gracilis muscle mechanics and collagen architecture are similar in TD patients and patients with CP. In both TD and CP muscles, collagen fibres dynamically increase their alignment during muscle stretching. Aspects of muscle mechanics and collagen architecture are predictive of in vivo knee joint motion and radiographic hip displacement in patients with CP. Longer sarcomere lengths in CP muscle in vivo may alter collagen architecture and biomechanics to drive deficits in joint mobility and gait function.

Clinical profile and associated comorbidities of cerebral palsy in children visiting Orotta National Referral Hospital, Eritrea: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common physical disabilities in children. This study aimed to explore the clinical spectrum of CP at Orotta National Referral and Teaching Hospital, including CP subtypes, gross motor function, patterns of associated comorbidities, and possible risk factors in children aged 2 to 12 years. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2022 in 153 children with suspected motor symptoms. The Surveillance of CP in Europe (SCPE) decision tree was used as an inclusion criteria guideline and the evaluation of the participants was done using a standardized questionnaire and clinical examination. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression were employed to statistically analyze the data. RESULTS: Eighty-four children who fulfilled the clinical criteria were included in the study. The median age was 5-years [IQR: 3.8] with an equal distribution of males and females. Quadriplegic CP was the most common subtype (51.2%) followed by unilateral (hemiplegic) CP (22.6%), and dyskinetic CP (14.3%). Most children had severe gross motor impairment GMFCS level IV-V and females were almost three times more likely to have GMFCS level IV/V than males (AOR: 2.70; CI: 1.08-6.72; p-value = 0.033.) More than half (52.4%) of the neonates either did not cry within five minutes and/or needed breathing resuscitation, 55.3% had to be admitted to the NICU with a median of 5 days' hospital stay. Between the first week of birth and the first year of life, 28.6% had trouble feeding, 26.2% had an infection, 10.7% had difficulty breathing, 20.2% had seizures and 6% had jaundice. Feeding problems (64.3%), speech problems of some sort (91.7%), and epilepsy (46.4%) were the most commonly associated comorbidities with CP. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical profile of the CP patients was found to be dominated by the spastic subtype and moderate to severe disability. Since perinatal risk factors were found to be dominant, strengthening maternal and child healthcare systems is recommended to minimize incidents of preventable risk factors and the burden of the disability.