Cerebral Palsy and OT Evidence

The research we are reviewing in this course showcases how far we’ve come in the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cerebral palsy (CP) in children. The authors also explore the strength of the evidence behind 182 interventions for CP, organizing them into an “evidence traffic light.”

This is an important paper for all OTs to read—not just because CP is one of the most common physical disabilities we see on our caseloads, but because the paper is so well written. The authors do a fantastic job of highlighting the general trends behind what works, what doesn’t work, and the progress that still needs to be made.

After reviewing the article, I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Iona Novak, OT, PhD, one of the article’s authors. She and I will discuss the implications for your occupational therapy practice.

CP Resources Mentioned in Podcast

• Parent-friendly version of the traffic light from Cerebral Palsy Alliance

• Cerebral Palsy Alliance

1. You will be able to identify the common mechanisms that make CP interventions effective.

2. You will recognize evidence-based principles to guide your motor interventions for CP.

• Intro

• Breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • Update on the progress in prevention and early detection:

  • Update on the progress in CP treatment:

  • What was the intent of this paper?

  • What were the methods?

  • What were the results?

  • Conclusions and discussion

  • Takeaways for OT practitioners

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with Iona Novak)

  1. How did you first find OT?

  2. Can you tell us how you became involved in Cerebral Palsy research?

  3. Before we get into the traditional OT scope of practice, I wanted to ask about prevention and early detection, do you see OTs playing a role in these areas?

  4. I was really excited to see some of the same neuroscience concepts that we’ve been seeing in adult neuro rehab research (like the importance of “experience dependent neuroplasticity.”) Can you speak to how you see big-picture neuroscience trends playing out in the green light interventions?

  5. Child directed goals are a big shift for many of us. Why do you think they work?

  6. I think many patients come to therapy expecting answers, quick-wins, and “hands on” treatment from their therapist. What are practical ways therapists can set the tone for a true active partnership—and explain its importance.

  7. If a family member came to you interested in a red-light intervention or some questionable treatment they found online, how would you walk them through it?

  8. I look back on treatments I’ve provided that I’m embarrassed of and now see as ineffective. WIth exponential amounts of research coming out, how can we, as therapists, prepare our hearts and minds for the reality that we may find out over our careers that things we’ve done in the past were ineffective or even harmful?

  9. What OT assessments and treatments are you most excited about right now?

  10. How does our profession need to change to provide more effective CP care?

Primary

• State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy

Additional

• Constraint-induced movement therapy in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

• Current Rehabilitation Practices for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Focus and Gaps

• Early, Accurate Diagnosis and Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

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OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic.

Speaker interests: Iona Novak is an author of the primary journal article explored in this course. She holds the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Chair of Allied Health at the University of Sydney; resources published by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance are linked on this page.