Cognitive Strategy Training in Childhood-Onset Movement Disorders: Replication Across Therapists

Hortensia Gimeno*, Helene J. Polatajko, Jean Pierre Lin, Victoria Cornelius, Richard G. Brown

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To explore preliminary effectiveness of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach in improving outcomes in childhood-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders (HMDs) including dyskinetic cerebral palsy following deep brain stimulation (DBS) across UK clinical occupational therapists. Methods: Randomized, multiple-baseline, Single Case Experimental Design N-of-1 trial with replications across participants. Five self-selected goals were identified: three goals were worked on during CO-OP and two goals were left untreated and used to assess skills transfer. Participants were between 6 and 21 years and had received DBS surgery with baseline Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels I–IV. Participants were randomized to typical or extended baseline (2 vs. 6 weeks), followed by 10 weekly individual CO-OP sessions. The primary outcome was functional performance measured by the Performance Quality Rating Scale-Individualized (PQRS-I), assessed before, during, and following treatment. Outcome assessors were blinded to baseline allocation, session number, and assessment time. A non-overlapping index, Tau-U, was used to measure effect size. Results: Of the 12 participants recruited, 10 commenced and completed treatment. In total, 63% of trained goals improved with effect sizes 0.66–1.00 (“moderate” to “large” effect), seen for all children in at least one goal. Skills transfer was found in 37% of the untrained goals in six participants. Conclusions: Cognitive strategy use improved participant-selected functional goals in childhood-onset HMD, more than just practice during baseline. Preliminary effectiveness is shown when the intervention is delivered in clinical practice by different therapists in routine clinical settings.

Original languageEnglish
Article number600337
JournalFrontiers in Pediatrics
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • cerebral palsy
  • dystonia
  • participation
  • rehabilitation
  • single case experimental design

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