Need analysis of the physical impairments of spastic children with cerebral palsy as basis for proposed literature based assistive technology: a case study

Date of Completion

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Cerebral Palsy, Children

Abstract

This is a case study on the needs analysis of physical impairments of spastic children with cerebral palsy as basis for proposed literature based assistive technology. Cerebral Palsy is often connoted as "brain paralysis" because the parts of the brain affected in this condition are the areas that produce and control movement. The importance of assistive technology devices appropriate to aide in functional impairments based on literature that will make the child with Cerebral Palsy function eventually helping the child to gain independence in various activities of daily living. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to determine the physical impairment needs of spastic type cerebral palsy as basis for proposed literature based assistive technology. The researchers specific objectives are: 1) To determine the profile of the respondents; 2) To determine the physical impairment of the respondents in terms of: 2.1. Musculoskeletal: (Head, Neck, Back, Spine, Upper Extremity and Lower Extremity), 2.2. Neuromuscular, 2.3. Functional. 3) To analyze the physical impairment needs of the respondents 4) To propose a literature based assistive technology to address the physical impairment needs of the respondents. Research design: Descriptive study. Setting: Jose P. Rizal Hospital, Dasmariñas Cavite and General Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital, Trece Martires City. Participants: 5 children with spastic cerebral palsy. Procedure/Interventions: The researchers found five cases of spatic type cerebral palsy at different hospitals within Cavite. The researchers prepared the data analysis form and permission letters to conduct the study. The researchers screened the patients by using the sets of inclusion criteria. With all the available patients, the researchers obtained the consent of all respondents and caregivers involved in the study after explaining the research purpose. Then the study was performed using the instrument tool for assessment of the physical impairments including head, upper extremity, pelvis and trunk, lower extremity, sitting posture, sitting balance and tolerance, standing posture, standing balance and tolerance and gait impairments from each patient and analyze the needs for assistive technology. Main Outcome Measures: The physical impairments of children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy were evaluated by utilizing the two assessment tools which is the data record sheet and the physical impairment assessment using the protocol provided by the researchers. Result and Discussions: The most common musculoskeletal impairments seen are head lag, limitation of motion and weakness. Upon neurologic assessment, the most common impairments seen are hypertonicity, hypotonicity and impaired coordination. Functional impairments were also assessed. most of the participants present with abnormal sitting and standing posture, impaired coordination, sitting and standing balance/tolerance. Gait impairements were also observed during stance phase and swing phase among diplegic patients. Various kind of assistive technology can be used to address those impairments according to the function and support needed by those individual with Cerebral Palsy to be able to perform activities of daily living and to compensate for loss of function. Conclusion: Children with Cerebral Palsy may present with many impairments due to an injury during brain development that causes lack of control of the muscles or joints, which results in disrupted coordinated movement. Assistive Technology can be used to compensate or enhance the function of an individual with physical and mental impairments or enhance the function of an individual with physical and mental impairments or disabilities, thus improving their quality of life.

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