Environmental factors associated with participation and its related concepts among children and youth with cerebral palsy: a rapid review

Looking beyond Body Structure and Function: ICF Foci and Who Is Being Assessed in Research about Adolescents and Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy-A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to summarize the ICF foci, looking beyond body structures and function, and to analyze who has been assessed in research about adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with CP in the phase of transition to adulthood.

METHOD

Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched using terms related to cerebral palsy, adolescents/young adults, health development, participation, and independence. Studies including youth with CP (13-30 years old) published in English from 2014 to 2021 were considered. The methods of assessment reported in the included studies were used to identify the ICF foci and who was assessed.

RESULTS

In this study, 86 studies were reviewed. The main ICF foci are activity and participation (51% of the studies), personal factors (23%), ICF not covered (14%), ICF not defined (9%), with environmental factors being the least focused ICF component (3%). Most studies assessed AYAs directly (49% of studies).

CONCLUSIONS

Activity- and participation-related constructs are the leading research focus of studies, and more attention is needed concerning environmental factors. AYAs are the main source of information, and the perspectives of other key figures are also being valued. To bridge the gap between child and adult health care, a broader view of health development and approaches to explore AYA developmental issues must be taken.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Rotterdam Transition Profile to Brazilian Portuguese: measuring autonomy in participation of Brazilian youth with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

Autonomy in participation of young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) is not well understood due to the lack of appropriate instruments, especially for the Brazilian population. The Rotterdam Transition Profile (RTP) categorizes autonomy in Participation (education, employment, finances, housing, leisure, intimate relationships, sexuality, transportation) and Health Services (care demands, services and aids, and rehabilitation services) domains.

OBJECTIVES

To cross-culturally adapt the RTP for use in Brazil, and to describe the levels of autonomy in participation and associated factors of Brazilian youth with CP.

METHODS

RTP was translated and content validity was investigated through an expert panel (n = 4 researchers and n = 4 clinicians); 30 adolescents and young adults with CP provided data for construct validity and internal consistency analysis. To analyze influencing factors, 56 youth with CP, mean age 25 years (SD = 6.9 years), with good cognitive level remotely responded to the RTP, sociodemographic information, and functional classifications (gross motor, manual ability).

RESULTS

Following translation, content and construct validity were established, with changes made to improve the clarity of items. Cronbach's alpha (0.82) was considered good and test-reliability was fair to good for most items. High levels of autonomy were found in the areas of Leisure and Rehabilitation, with the lowest proportion of participants with autonomy in Housing, Intimate Relationships, and Finances. Autonomy in participation was associated with age, gross motor and manual ability classifications, and with context-related factors.

CONCLUSION

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the RTP was considered valid and reliable. Findings will support transition planning for young people with CP.

Characterization of environmental factors in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in Minas Gerais: Participa Minas

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the environmental factors of children and adolescents with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in the state of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study involving 164 caregivers of children/adolescents with CP, aged 1-14 years. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) were used to classify the participants' functioning, and environmental factors were evaluated by an on-line questionnaire that examined products and technologies, physical environment, services, and systems. A descriptive analysis was performed using percentage and frequency.

RESULTS

Most participants had bilateral CP (66.9%) and 45% of them were spastic. Levels II and V of the GMFCS and MACS were the most frequent. About half (49.4%) used anticonvulsants, 27.4% underwent botulinum toxin application, and 29% went through orthopedic surgery in the lower limbs. Among the participants, 71.3% used orthoses in the lower limbs, and 51.8% used the public health care system. Most had access to physiotherapy (91.5%), but found difficulties to access interventions with other professionals, such as psychologists (28%) and nutritionists (37.8%). The school was the most frequently adapted environment (78%), and had the highest level of structural adaptation (42.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that the barriers to access health services and barriers to the physical environment may impact participation and social inclusion.