The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, fidelity and acceptability of an aquatic therapy assessment and intervention for children ages 3-9 with neuromotor deficits such as cerebral palsy. The intervention takes place in a warm water therapy pool, twice a week for ten weeks and targets swim safety skills, upper extremity function and self care participation and performance.
The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility, fidelity and acceptability of an aquatic therapy assessment and intervention. The intervention will target swim safety skills, upper extremity function and self care participation and performance in children with neuromotor conditions such as cerebral palsy. The study includes an intake evaluation session, twenty sessions of aquatic therapy (twice a week for 10 weeks) and a post evaluation session. This takes place in Columbus, Ohio. Each session will be a combination of land-based self care training and water-based upper extremity exercise and swim skill training. The intervention structure will include the following: 1. Self Care Session: Doffing clothing, preparing for swimming 2. Motor learning aquatic activities guided by individualized goals 3. Self Care session: Towel dry, rinse off, dressing Individualized activities will be planned according to the individualized goals written for each child participant.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
36
Children receive aquatic occupational therapy twice a week for 10 weeks. 30 minutes of aquatic therapy in a warm water pool to increase upper extremity function and swim skills; 15 minutes of self care training to increase independence with dressing and showering.
Erika Kemp
Columbus, Ohio, United States
Change in Water Orientation Test Alyn (WOTA)
performance based swim skill assessment
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index, Computer Adaptive Text (PEDI-CAT)
parent reported questionnaire regarding child's self care skills
Time frame: baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST)
performance-based assessment of upper extremity skills
Time frame: baseline, immediately after intervention
Change in Participation and Environment Measure (PEM-CY)
parent reported questionnaire of participation in home, school and community
Time frame: baseline, immediately after the intervention
Change in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
Parent perception of goals attained
Time frame: baseline, immediately after the intervention
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