title: Physical Activity Among Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: An Integrative Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physical activity is necessary for optimum physical and psychosocial health in the general population. It is even more important for adolescents who struggle with impairments that limit motor function. Recommendations for best practice are needed as adolescents transition into adulthood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An integrative review was performed to determine the state of the science regarding 1) what factors impact physical activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy, and 2) how the needs of this population have been addressed regarding physical activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed was conducted using the terms cerebral palsy, mobility or activity, and adolescents. Exclusion criteria were surgical or pharmacological interventions.
  Descriptive and intervention studies were included and evaluated for purpose, design, and key findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Correcting the decline of physical activity in adolescents with CP may carry benefits over into adulthood. There are few studies that adapt physical activity to age and level of impairment. Several studies support approaching physical activity from a social model, focusing on participation of the person in the context of environment. There is a lack of research incorporating family-centered care. Many study designs are shallow and lack the proper instruments for assessing outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Home and community based interventions need to be developed that are individualized. More studies are needed with stronger research designs and better instruments in order to generalize results for practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, College of Nursing, Oklahoma City, OK. Electronic address: elizabeth-koldoff@ouhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Koldoff
authors.affiliation: University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, College of Nursing, Oklahoma City, OK.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Holtzclaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Cerebral palsy; Disability; Physical activity