Volume 24, Issue 1 (March 2026)
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal 2026, 24(1): 99-112 |
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Pooya Reaei1 
, Malek Amini *1 , Seyed Hassan Saneii1 , Mitra Khalafbeigi1 , Seyyed Pedram Shahebrahimi1 , Sahar Ehteshami2
, Malek Amini *1 , Seyed Hassan Saneii1 , Mitra Khalafbeigi1 , Seyyed Pedram Shahebrahimi1 , Sahar Ehteshami2
1- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (1444 Views)
Objectives: To investigate whether group training of neurodevelopmental handling skills for parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) effectively empowers parents and improves children’s functional mobility, and whether any benefit is maintained.
Methods: In this randomized single-blind clinical trial, fifty children with spastic CP aged 3-10 years were enrolled. The experimental group received 8 weeks of handling and positioning skills training in addition to usual therapy, whereas the control group received usual therapy alone. Gross motor function, functional mobility, and family empowerment were evaluated at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks post-intervention by a blinded assessor.
Results: After controlling for pre-intervention values, no statistically significant differences in gross motor function or mobility function were observed between the control and intervention groups. However, family empowerment scores were significantly higher in the intervention group at various time points throughout the study.
Discussion: Group training in handling skills improved family empowerment with sustained positive effects.
Methods: In this randomized single-blind clinical trial, fifty children with spastic CP aged 3-10 years were enrolled. The experimental group received 8 weeks of handling and positioning skills training in addition to usual therapy, whereas the control group received usual therapy alone. Gross motor function, functional mobility, and family empowerment were evaluated at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks post-intervention by a blinded assessor.
Results: After controlling for pre-intervention values, no statistically significant differences in gross motor function or mobility function were observed between the control and intervention groups. However, family empowerment scores were significantly higher in the intervention group at various time points throughout the study.
Discussion: Group training in handling skills improved family empowerment with sustained positive effects.
Article type: Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Occupational therapy
Received: 2024/12/22 | Accepted: 2025/12/6 | Published: 2026/03/1
Received: 2024/12/22 | Accepted: 2025/12/6 | Published: 2026/03/1