Abstract
Aims
The purpose of this study was to assess the current clinical practice of physiotherapists and occupational therapists on early detection and early intervention for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Brazil.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study. A purpose-developed electronic survey was disseminated across the country to physiotherapists and occupational therapists working with young children with or at risk of CP.
Results
A total of 205 anonymous respondents were included. Most participants (64.4%) agree that the diagnosis of CP can be made before 6 months of age. General Movements Assessment (26.8%) and Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (37.1%) were used infrequently. Infants at risk for CP receive therapy twice a week or more by 58.5% of therapists, 93.2% identified parents’ goals as the most important factor in customizing the early intervention program. The most frequent intervention strategies for this age group were active stimulation of the child (n = 182), family training (n = 161), strategies to optimize the environment (n = 143), and neurodevelopmental treatment/Bobath (n = 99).
Conclusions
Currently, pediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists in Brazil do not fully incorporate best practice tools for early identification of children with CP, nor sufficient best evidence-based interventions.
Acknowledgements
We sincerely thank the regional Councils of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy from Brazil (CREFITO), and the rehabilitation centers, hospitals and associations, for supporting us in distributing the survey and participants who filled it out. The authors acknowledge Alfredo Carlos da Silva, statistician from SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, for his support during the statistical analysis. We also have to thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Rosiane F. A. Souza
Rosiane F. A. Souza, OT, Master’s degree student in Medicine and Health at Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). She is a pediatric occupational therapist at SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Salvador, Brazil.
Hércules R. Leite
Hércules R. Leite, PT, PhD, Professor and Researcher at School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Rita Lucena
Rita Lucena, MD, PhD, Professor and Researcher at the Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health at Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). She is a pediatric neurologist in UFBA, Salvador, Brazil.
Alessandra Carvalho
Alessandra Carvalho, MD, PhD, Developmental Pediatrician, at SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.