title: Parent and therapist perceptions of an intense model of physical therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine parent and therapist perceptions regarding the effect of an intense model of physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Informants included 5 parents, 5 therapists, and 5 children with cerebral palsy who previously participated in an intense program (ie, strengthening and functional activities 4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks). Parents and therapists were interviewed, and children were observed. Data were collected and analyzed using qualitative methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five common themes emerged, based on perceptions: (1) improvement in motor function, (2) improvement in confidence and independence, (3) stress during the program but a time of no therapy between sessions, (4) increased participation in the community, and (5) fatigue during the program but perceived rapid attainment of goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The constructs identified should be considered by clinicians in program development and by researchers for further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, USA. JBraswel@uab.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer Braswell
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Christy
authors.forename: Naja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Penny H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording; D016896:Treatment Outcome