Influence of functional mobility and manual function on play in preschool children with cerebral palsy

Contemporary Foreign Approaches to Assessment of Preschool Children's Play Activity: a Review of Selected Methods

<p>In contemporary foreign literature the concept of children's play is described through the prism of various theories (psychoanalysis, theory of motivational modulation, metacommunicative theory, cognitive theories, etc.). On the basis of these theories a number of diagnostic tools have been developed to assess the play of preschoolers. The article presents an overview of the most famous of them: Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale (RKPPS), The Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA), Test of Playfulness (ToP). Each of these methods assesses specific components of children's play according to the age norms. The practical application of the methods considered in the article is largely based on the ideas of occupational therapy and focuses primarily on the rehabilitation of preschoolers with disabilities as well as on solving other therapeutic challenges.</p>

Knox Preschool Play Scale: a scoping review

Abstract Introduction Playing is intrinsically related to child development. Through play assessment, health professionals, including occupational therapists, can obtain information about child development. The Knox Preschool Play Scale - revised (KPPS-r) is a standardized instrument that enables the effective assessment of the skills existing in preschoolers’ play behavior. Objective To examine the national and international scientific production on the KPPS-r. Method This is a scoping review of the literature utilizing the following research databases: Scopus, Lilacs, BDENF, Embase, Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Dedalus, BDTD, and PROQUEST; also Scielo, Google Scholar, and Capes Articles Website. The search strategy included the descriptors “Escala Lúdica Pré-escolar de Knox” OR “Knox Preschool Play Scale”. Results 51 studies published between 1983 and 2019 involving 1816 children were identified. The associated use of over 36 assessment instruments was identified, enabling knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of the scale. The KPPSr is a valuable and reliable instrument both in clinical practice and in research. However, the lack of a manual or guidelines for its application is a weakness of this instrument. Conclusion This scoping review qualitatively analyzed the national and international literature addressing the KPPS, identifying gaps in scientific production and generating a broad panorama of data on the use, dissemination, and availability of this instrument, in addition to presenting an outline of the studies, their methodologies, and objectives.

Escala Lúdica Pré-Escolar de Knox: uma revisão de escopo

Resumo Introdução O brincar é intrinsecamente relacionado ao desenvolvimento infantil. Através da avaliação do brincar, profissionais de saúde, incluindo terapeutas ocupacionais, podem obter informações sobre o desenvolvimento global da criança. A Escala Lúdica Pré-escolar de Knox – revisada (ELPKr) é um instrumento padronizado capaz de avaliar eficazmente as habilidades presentes no brincar de pré-escolares. Objetivo Examinar a produção científica nacional e internacional sobre a utilização da ELPKr. Método Trata-se de uma revisão de escopo da literatura, utilizando as seguintes bases de dados para busca: Scopus, Lilacs, BDENF, Embase, Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Dedalus, BDTD, PROQUEST, além de Scielo, Google Scholar e Portal Capes de Periódicos. A estratégia de busca incluiu os descritores “Escala Lúdica Pré-escolar de Knox” OR “Knox Preschool Play Scale”. Resultados Foram identificados 51 estudos publicados entre 1983 e 2019, envolvendo 1.816 crianças. Além disso, foi constatado uso associado de mais 36 instrumentos de avaliação, sendo possível indicar potencialidades e fragilidades da escala. A ELPKr é um instrumento útil e confiável tanto na prática clínica como na pesquisa. No entanto, a não existência de um manual ou orientações sobre sua forma de aplicação foi indicada como uma fragilidade do instrumento. Conclusão Esta revisão de escopo analisou qualitativamente a literatura nacional e estrangeira a respeito da ELPK, identificando lacunas nas produções científicas e gerando um amplo panorama de dados sobre a utilização, difusão e disponibilidade desse instrumento, além de apresentar um delineamento dos estudos, suas metodologias e objetivos.

Effectiveness of robotic-assisted therapy for upper extremity function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

The application of advanced technologies in paediatric rehabilitation to improve performance and enhance everyday functioning shows considerable promise. The aims of this systematic review are to investigate the effectiveness of robotic-assisted therapy for upper extremity function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy and to extend the scope of intervention from empirical evidence.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Multiple databases, including MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and IEEE Xplore, will be comprehensively searched for relevant randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies. The grey literature will be accessed on the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database, and a hand search from reference lists of previous articles will be performed. The papers written in English language will be considered, with no limitation on publication date. Two independent reviewers will identify eligible studies, evaluate the level of evidence (the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine) and appraise methodological quality and risk of bias (the Standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research papers from a variety of fields (QualSyst tool); the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Data will be appropriately extracted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. A narrative synthesis will be provided to summarise the results, and a meta-analysis will be conducted if there is sufficient homogeneity across outcomes.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020205818.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for this study. The findings will be disseminated via a peer-reviewed journal and international conferences.

A Systematic Review Comparing the Play Profiles of Children with Special Health Care Needs with Typically Developing Children

INTRODUCTION

Although play has been used as a means to meet therapeutic goals by health care practitioners for a long time, there is a need to continuously review its conceptualisation and use in everyday practice to promote evidence-based practice. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence on how the play of children with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN) is similar or different to that of typically developing children.

METHODS

Guided by the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a comprehensive review across five electronic databases for all studies that compared how the play of children with SHCN was similar or different to that of typically developing children. Data were extracted from the included studies, and methodological quality was assessed.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies met eligibility criteria. All the studies in this review were at risk of bias due to the study design. There was great variation in sample sizes, ranging between five and 112 participants in the diagnostic groups and five and 546 participants in control groups (typically developing children). The included studies investigated different aspects of play, which made it difficult to synthesise. However, of the 18 studies reviewed, thirteen reported that children with SHCN engage in less play, compared with typically developing children.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence supports the assumption that children with SHCN are less playful and spend less time engaging in play compared with typically developing children. This systematic review reveals paucity of research on play for children with several common chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Future studies need to reduce risks of bias, including the use of appropriate sample sizes, and must provide detailed results after investigating play in children with SHCN.