Selecting the appropriate outcome in paediatric physical therapy: how individual treatment goals of children with cerebral palsy are reflected in GMFM-88 and PEDI.
OBJECTIVE
To assess to what extent individual physical therapy treatment goals for children with cerebral palsy are reflected in 2 standardized measures: the GMFM-88 and the PEDI.


METHODS
A total of 36 paediatric physical therapists working in primary healthcare with children with cerebral palsy in their caseload.


METHODS
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health was used as a measure to link individual treatment goals to the GMFM-88 and the PEDI.


RESULTS
Sixty percent of the treatment goals were covered by the 2 measures. Twenty-seven percent and 21% of the goals were reflected in the GMFM-88 and the PEDI, respectively; 12% of the goals were reflected in both instruments. Another 26% of the treatment goals appeared to be partly covered (21% in PEDI and 5% in GMFM-88). Fourteen percent of the goals were not covered by the 2 measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Individual goals set in a physical therapy practice for children with cerebral palsy can be linked, to a large extent, to items and activities of 2 standardized measures.
Engelen
Vivian
V
Centre of Excellence, Rehabilitation Centre De Hoogstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Ketelaar
Marjolijn
M
Gorter
Jan Willen
JW
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome