Challenges of Guidelines: A Look at the Systematic Review of Clinical Guidelines Related to the Care of Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

Evidence-based, Implementable Motor Rehabilitation Guidelines for Individuals With Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy is a life-long condition that causes heterogeneous motor disorders. Motor rehabilitation interventions must be adapted to the topography of the symptoms, ambulatory capacity and age of the individual. Current guidelines do not differentiate between the different profiles of individuals with cerebral palsy, which limits their implementation.

OBJECTIVES

To develop evidence-based, implementable guidelines for motor rehabilitation interventions for individuals with cerebral palsy according to the age, topography of the cerebral palsy and ambulatory capacity of the individual, and to determine a level of priority for each intervention.

METHODS

We used a mixed methods design that combined a systematic review of the literature on available motor rehabilitation interventions with expert opinions. Based on the French National Authority for Health methodology, recommendations were graded as strong, conditional or weak. Interventions were then prioritized by the experts according to both the evidence and their own opinions on relevance and implementability to provide a guide for clinicians. All recommendations were approved by experts who were independent from the working group.

RESULTS

Strong recommendations as first-line treatments were made for gait training, physical activities and hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy for all children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Moderate recommendations were made against passive joint mobilizations, muscle stretching, prolonged stretching with the limb fixed, and neurodevelopmental therapies for all children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Strong recommendations as first-line treatments were made for gait training for all adults with cerebral palsy and moderate recommendations as moderate importance interventions for strengthening exercises and ankle-foot orthoses for motor impairment of the feet and the ankles.

DISCUSSION

These guidelines, which combine research evidence and expert opinion, could help individuals with cerebral palsy and their families to co-determine rehabilitation goals with health professionals, according to their preferences.