Defining usual physiotherapy care in ambulant children with cerebral palsy in the United Kingdom: A mixed methods consensus study.
Rachel Rapson, Jos M Latour, Jonathan Marsden and 2 others
PMID 35080029WHAT IT FOUND
UK paediatric physiotherapists agreed usual care for ambulant children with cerebral palsy includes long-term monitoring, advice, goal setting, sport and activity, and task-specific training.
Only two of six proposed exercise interventions reached consensus. It defines usual care. It does not prove effectiveness.
Key findings
01Twelve physiotherapists reached high consensus on 10 statements describing usual physiotherapy care.
02After the literature review, participants kept only two of six proposed interventions in the usual care position statement.
03During the final survey, all respondents reported rapid introduction of virtual appointments, and many could not provide routine monitoring or treatment blocks.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The consensus was among 12 physiotherapists, not children with cerebral palsy or their families. Only 8 of the 12 physiotherapists completed the final survey, and the paper says the smaller number and lack of group discussion may have lowered consensus. The participants did not represent the whole United Kingdom, despite national advertising. The study considered only care delivered by physiotherapists, while usual programmes are also delivered by parents and carers. The final phase took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, so virtual appointments and reduced contact may have shaped what participants called usual care.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The supplied text does not report other author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that usual physiotherapy improves walking or balance, or that interventions not kept are ineffective. The study asked 12 physiotherapists to agree on what is usually delivered, not to test outcomes.