Feasibility Study of a Therapeutic Mobility Summer Camp for Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy: Power Fun

Abstract

Aim: Powered mobility has positive effects on development of children with limited independent locomotion, but many are deprived of this opportunity due to their limitations. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of Power Fun, a therapeutic summer camp, for students with severe cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Five students with CP, ages 11–15, received personally adapted powered wheelchairs and participated daily in the camp. The camp ran five days a week during three weeks and included two mobility sessions daily. Assessments were conducted three weeks prior to the camp (T1), at baseline (T2), post-intervention (T3) and six weeks follow-up (T4). Measures used were Power Mobility Program (PMP), Assessment of Learning Power mobility use (ALP), Wheelchair Outcome Measure for Young People (WhOM-YP), Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ).

Results: All participants finished the camp. Outcome measures showed no change between T1-T2 but improved significantly (p<.05) after the intervention (T2-T3), and gains were maintained at T4 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Goals improved to slightly above the expected outcome (GAS average 0.11).

Conclusions: Power Fun shows good feasibility and significant improvement in mobility skills and goals of children with severe CP. Further studies are warranted.

Keywords:

• Complex disabilities
• facilitating strategies
• motor learning
• personal goals
• powered mobility
• school age children
• summer programs
• youth

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Dr Yair Adler, Dr Roni Shenkar and Rachel Oznovich of Tsad Kadima for their help in the summer camp.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lori Rosenberg

Lori Rosenberg is an occupational therapist, MSc., a PhD student and a lecturer at the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. She is also the head of occupational therapy at Ilanot School, Jerusalem, Israel.

Adina Maeir

Adina Maeir is an occupational therapist, PhD., and an associate professor at the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Yafit Gilboa

Yafit Gilboa is an occupational therapist, PhD., and an associate professor at the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.