Parents'/caregivers' and rehabilitation professionals' perspectives of occupational performance of children with cerebral palsy: a comparative study

Abstract

The study sought to compare the caregivers’ evaluation of the occupational performance and assistance needed by children with cerebral palsy (CP) to that of treating therapists to ascertain agreement about the children’s strengths/weaknesses so goals for intervention can be set. The Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) parent/caregiver and therapist scores of 50 children with CP in Harare aged four to six and half years were analysed. The association between PEDI scores and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels as well as the internal consistency of the PEDI for this sample were also determined. Correlations for the caregivers’ and therapists’ scores on the PEDI were strong to excellent. A marked decrease in functional skills on the PEDI was noted in relation to the GMFCS and MACS levels with a negative moderate correlation between the PEDI scores and the GMFCS levels for self care, a negative strong correlation for mobility but a negative weak correlation for social function. The similarity of scores indicates positive correlation that allows for collaborative goal setting and Family Centred Therapy with these children. Internal consistency was excellent for all functional skills domains and caregiver assistance.