Factors Affecting Participation of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Meaningful Activities: Systematic Review

Abstract

This is a systematic review using PRISMA guidelines to review the factors affecting participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP), the most common childhood motor disability. Inclusion criteria consisted of publications in a peer-reviewed journal between 2000 and 2018, and at I, II, III, and IV levels of AOTA Evidence. After the title, abstract, and a full text screening, 31 articles met eligibility to be included. The studies examined ADLs (12), IADLs (9), play and leisure (19), and social participation (14), but only 3 in rest/sleep, 1 in work, and 8 in education. Gross motor and manual function, CP type, home, and community physical environment, were the most common factors affecting individuals’ participation with CP. Results imply occupational therapists must evaluate clients on all factors shown to facilitate or inhibit participation to ensure an adequate intervention plan. However, evaluating every individual case in the occupational therapy process is time-consuming and difficult. Based on this study’s findings, we suggest occupational therapists prioritize evaluating motor skills (gross and fine), the most influential of the factors in all areas of participation. Occupational therapists also could advocate for policy around community environmental barrier removal.

Keywords:

• Activity
• cerebral palsy
• occupation
• participation

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) (Research Ethics Code: IR.IUMS.REC.1397.079).

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Ethics approval

IR.IUMS.REC.1397.079.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a grant, “IUMS: 97-01-32-33048,” from the Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Notes on contributors

Marzieh Pashmdarfard

Marzieh Pashmdarfard, PhD candidate, Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.Lorie Gage Richards, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies, University of Utah, 520 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.Malek Amini, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.