Evaluation of the use of the cerebral visual impairment motor questionnaire in the South African context
Date
2020
Authors
Sweet, Nikita Ann
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Abstract
Introduction: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is a common comorbidity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and has a significant impact on their functional capabilities. The various deficits that children with CP may have, make screening and assessing for CVI difficult. An early diagnosis of CVI is important for early intervention. A validated screening tool may assist occupational therapists and physiotherapists in detecting possible CVI in children with CP, and thus assist them in guiding further investigations and preventing costly and unnecessary comprehensive assessments as well as allowing appropriate intervention for CVI.
Methodology: In this study, a descriptive quantitative survey design was used to establish what therapists treating children with CP understand about CVI as well as the current practice in screening for CVI (phase 1). The second part of the study (phase 2) established the content validity, usability and utility of an international validated screening tool called the Cerebral Visual Impairment Motor Questionnaire in the South African context.
Conclusion: There was a total of 38 participants for phase 1, and 14 participants for phase 2. This study showed that majority of the participants understand what a CVI includes, however, a formal diagnosis of CVI in not common practice. There is little to no formal screening and assessment of CVI in children with CP in the South African setting. The CVI-MQ is not valid and usable for some under resourced contexts and inexperienced therapists in the South African context. Rural contexts expressed concerns such as accessibility, relative importance in the setting and time, these must be addressed when suggesting the screening tool for the South African setting.
Description
A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of in Occupational Therapy to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020