Individualized telehealth home programme for children with cerebral palsy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Aim: To analyse the effects of an individualized telehealth home programme on the performance of functional goals of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: A prospective single-group intervention study with children/adolescents with CP (n = 144; median age = 92 months [Q₁ = 44.0, Q₃ = 148.8]; 74 males, 70 females), representing all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels participated in a 4-month home programme in Brazil. An interdisciplinary team encouraged families to choose a functional goal to be trained. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used at pre-intervention (T₁), post-intervention (T₂), and 3-month follow-up (T₃). The differences in COPM scores at T₁, T₂, and T₃ were evaluated using Friedman's test. The effect size was calculated using Cohen's d. Univariate analysis was included.

Results: Significant improvements were observed after the intervention, with maintenance of scores after 3 months (p < 0.001, d_performance = 1.33; d_satisfaction = 1.31). None of the tested variables (child's abilities, age, caregiver's educational level, perception of family-centredness, and type of goal) were significantly related to the change scores.

Interpretation: The individualized remote telehealth home programme can be a potential intervention, especially for children with CP classified in GMFCS levels IV and V. Also, this intervention provided a possible solution to help some children and their families in performing prioritized functional goals during the pandemic period.