Outcome of Community-Based Early Intervention and Rehabilitation for Children with Cerebral Palsy in Rural Bangladesh: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Brain Sciences

Tasneem Karim¹  Israt Jahan¹  Mohammad Muhit¹  Claire Galea²  Catherine Morgan³  Hayley Smithers-Sheedy³  Gulam Khandaker³  Nadia Badawi³ 

[1] CSF Global, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh;Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia;Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;

关键词: cerebral palsy;    children;    early intervention;    community-based;    low- and middle-income country;    Bangladesh;   

DOI  :  10.3390/brainsci11091189

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

We evaluated the outcome of a community-based early intervention and habilitation for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Bangladesh. Children registered on the Bangladesh CP Register (BCPR) were recruited in two groups for this study: Group A received a comprehensive six-month long community-based caregiver-led intervention program at the “Shishu Shorgo” (Bengali title, which translates to ‘Children’s Heaven’) Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Centres developed to support participants from the BCPR. Group B received standard care. A quasi-experimental study was conducted. Data were obtained at baseline, at the end of the program (i.e., 6 months), and at a 12-month follow-up. Outcome measures for children included gross motor functional measure (GMFM-66), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), and Viking Speech Scale (VSS) and, for adult caregivers, the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS 21). Between October 2016 and March 2017, 156 children with CP were recruited (77 in Group A and 79 in Group B). The total score of GMFM-66, CFCS level, and VSS level significantly improved statistically in Group A (p < 0.05 for all) and deteriorated in Group B (p < 0.001, p = 0.095, p = 0.232). The intervention showed promising outcomes particularly for children with CP under five years of age. There is a need for caregiver-led community-based programs for children with CP in LMICs.

【 授权许可】

Unknown