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Child Focused and Context Focused Therapy Are Equally Effective

child focused versus context focused

A group of researchers at the CanChild Centre in Canada completed research comparing child focused therapy and context focused therapy for children with cerebral palsy.  The participants included 128 children with cerebral palsy who received one sessions of therapy per week by an OT or PT of either child focused therapy or context focused therapy.  

The child focused therapy consisted of therapy sessions trying to change the child’s mobility, body alignment, muscle strength and coordination.   Therapy also focused on improving a child’s skills through practicing movements and activities.

The context focused therapy consisted of therapy sessions on choosing an activity that a child enjoys but would like to do better.  These activities were then modified to make it easier to do by reducing the limiting factors associated with both the task and the environment. Children also practiced the activities.

After six weeks of one session per week, both groups showed equal improvements.  The following results were recorded for both groups:

1.  increased independence in their self-care activities
2.  improved ability to move more independently
3.   more engaged in general skill activities
4.  increase in participation in play activities 
5.  increased physical activity and took part in more games.

Overall, the children younger than three years improved more than older children in their self-care activities and ability to move independently.

What do you prefer when you provide therapy sessions?  Changing the task or changing the child?  Personally, I have had more success with modifying the task especially with older children.  Although, I usually provide a combination of the two during a direct therapy session.

Here is a link to the hand out that CanChild created regarding the study.  Excellent to give to parents and teachers http://canchild.ca/en/ourresearch/resources/KTlaysummaryver12.pdf

 

Reference:   Law MC1, Darrah J, Pollock N, Wilson B, Russell DJ, Walter SD, Rosenbaum P, Galuppi B. Focus on function: a cluster, randomized controlled trial comparing child- versus context-focused intervention for young children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011 Jul;53(7):621-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.03962.x. Epub 2011 May 13.

Teaching Motor Skills

Teaching Motor Skills to Children with Cerebral Palsy and Similar Movement
Disorders – A Guide for Parents and Professionals

Author: Sieglinde Martin M.S., P.T.

Find out more information at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/CPmotorskills.html