F-words ingredients of non-invasive interventions for young ambulant children with cerebral palsy: A scoping review

Abstract

The world of rehabilitation for cerebral palsy (CP) has changed dramatically in recent years. We have seen a proliferation of labels for rehabilitation therapies. There is widespread dissemination of therapies, often lacking scientific evidence, especially on social media, blogs, and other communication platforms. The labels on the shelves are diverse.

In this scoping review, a team of researchers and a group from the public (two clinical physiotherapists and a mother of a child with CP) used the F-words and the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS) to help identify the components of interventions. The F-words are a set of six terms (fitness, functioning, family, friends, fun, and future) that aim to give a voice to families and children with CP. The RTSS is a theoretical model that specifies and describes rehabilitation interventions, helping to identify the ingredients (what therapists do), mechanisms (how the ingredients are expected to work), and targets (what is expected to change in the child).