title: Physical therapy clinical management recommendations for children with cerebral palsy - spastic diplegia: achieving functional mobility outcomes.
abstract: The purpose of this special report is to present recommendations for the clinical management of children with cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia when increased functional mobility is the identified outcome. These recommendations provide a framework that allows physical therapists to increase their accountability and promote effective interventions for improved patient outcomes. The key components of this special report on clinical management are: a) the Major Recommendations that provide the background and evidence for clinical management; b) a flow chart to assist in clinical decision-making; and c) a Table of Tests and Measures for information on useful tools in the management of children with spastic diplegia. These recommendations are suggestions for clinical management, not an all-inclusive document on physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy. These recommendations may help therapists develop systematic approaches to service delivery and documentation.
authors.affiliation: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA. moneil@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fragala-Pinkham
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Westcott
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chiarello
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valvano
authors.forename: Rachel Unanue
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D000328:Adult; D026683:Advisory Committees; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000628:therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic