Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2005. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (B.Sc)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / "A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Speech and Hearing Sciences), The University of Hong Kong, May 14, 1999." Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-119)

xiii, 103 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / The purpose of this dissertation was (1) to investigate the effects of dual task conditions on the development of postural control during gait in typically developing children while walking and obstacle crossing, and (2) to investigate the attentional requirements of gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Forty younger and older typically developing (YTD and OTD) children and 10 children with CP performed a gait task with and without a concurrently auditory Stroop task. Gait and cognitive performance were measured. In study 1, dual task interference with gait performance was found in YTD and OTD children, but not in healthy young adults (HYA). In general, gait performance decrements under dual task contexts were greater in YTD than OTD children, whereas cognitive performance decrements during dual tasking were not different between the two groups of children. Dual task interference was lowest in HYA and highest in YTD children when compared among groups. As the difficulty of the gait task was increased, dual task affects on cognitive performance were now found in YTD and OTD children, but not HYA. In study 2, there were significant differences in dual task interference affecting gait performance in all groups of children. When performing the gait task with a concurrent auditory Stroop task, OTD children showed greater dual-task costs than children with CP for accuracy, but children with CP demonstrated greater dual-task costs than OTD and YTD children for medial Center of Mass-Ankle-joint-center inclination angle. This increased medio-lateral inclination angle in dual task situations has also been seen in older adults with balance deficits and may be associated with an increased risk for falls. YTD children showed dual-task costs in a slowing of gait velocity and stride time, a safer strategy than that used by children with CP. The lower cognitive performance during dual tasking for OTD children suggests that they allocate greater attention to maintain gait stability, whereas YTD children and children with CP do not. In addition, children with CP use a behavior that may increase their risk of falls in complex environments. This dissertation includes unpublished co-authored material. / Committee in charge: Marjorie Woollacott, Chairperson, Human Physiology; Paul van Donkelaar, Member, Human Physiology; Li-Shan Chou, Member, Human Physiology; Paul Dassonville, Outside Member, Psychology

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / The extent to which customers are satified with the care they receive from the health professionals has been an important area of interest for researchers, managers and health care workers. The physiotherapy cerebral palsy clinic at Mulago Hospital in Kampala Uganda provides physiotherapy services for parents caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. The parents caregivers visit the clinic seeking physiotherapy services that will address their problems and those of the child. The purpose of this study was to explore the satisfaction that the parents caregivers of children with cerebral palsy get from utilising the physiotherapy services at the clinic and to identify the barriers problems that they encounter that might affect their attendance. / South Africa

M.Ed. / The aim of this research study was to conduct Narrative Therapy with an adolescent with cerebral palsy and a cognitive disability, to determine his experience of the disability. The study was motivated by the fact that no research has been conducted in South Africa on therapy with adolescents living with cerebral palsy and cognitive disability. The reason being that it was believed that a client needs to have the cognitive ability for therapeutic change to occur. Recent international research has proved that therapy can be successful with clients with cognitive disabilities, if the approach or techniques are on the client’s cognitive developmental level. The goal of the study was firstly to give a voice to a seventeen-year-old adolescent with cerebral palsy and a cognitive disability to tell his story. Secondly, to determine what internal resources he has to help him cope with the disability. Lastly, to make recommendations for other therapists who want to conduct therapy with adolescents living with disabilities. A qualitative research approach with a single case study as research design from a selected sample was used. A qualitative approach is useful in studies where the meaning individuals give to there experience are investigated. The focus is on a seventeen-year-old adolescent with cerebral palsy and a cognitive disability and his experience of the disability. The researcher as therapist uses Narrative Therapy to describe and document the adolescent’s experience. Data was gathered through a variety of techniques (interviews, Narrative therapy sessions, observations and therapeutic letters), which enhanced the reliability of the study. The researcher was also the therapist who conducted Narrative Therapy and she had the opportunity to explore and describe the adolescent’s experience. From the data, certain themes and sub-themes were identified that highlighted aspects of living with a disability. / Me. H. Krige

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / This study attempted to ascertain whether the under-representation of black, disadvantaged learners with cerebral palsy in biology and related careers is linked in any way to the method and content of teaching and learning in special education. In addition this study also attempted to identify and uncover the barriers that prevent learners with cerebral palsy from pursuing careers in science and technology related professions. / South Africa

Young children with HCP experience difficulties performing age-appropriate daily activities such as self-care and play. Research in neuroplasticity has shown that intensive, task-specific training in early development is ideal to maximize functioning in children with HCP. The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility of a new manualized clinical guideline, Family Activity Adaptation Model (FAAM), via Telehealth to coach families to develop daily activities and routines that facilitate functional bimanual skills in young children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). Ten caregivers and children with HCP (3-7 years) received virtual training on how to embed bimanual intensive training (HABIT) into their everyday activities and routines on their own at home for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week over 8 weeks. Caregivers and children received virtual coaching using the FAAM method 2 times per week. FAAM Activity Analysis was used to describe manual development. Daily activity logs were used to assess family adherence and home program feasibility. Bimanual functional goal performance and satisfaction was measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Perceived changes in overall bimanual functional skills were evaluated using the Mini-Children’s Hand Use Experience Questionnaire (Mini-CHEQ). Caregiver stress, burden and program satisfaction was monitored using the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4-SF), the Ease of Caregiving for Children measure and a caregiver satisfaction survey. The measures were assessed immediately prior to (pretest), midpoint (burden measures only, repeated measures ANOVA) and immediately after (posttest, Wilcoxon Sign Rank Test) the intervention. All families made statistically and clinically significant improvements in goal performance (p=.008) satisfaction (p=.007), and overall bimanual hand use (p=.035). All families completed daily logs and practiced strategies for an average of 81.37 (SD=7.069) minutes a day. Caregiver burden and stress remained consistent throughout the study and all caregivers reported satisfaction with the program. This is the first study to manualize a family centered, telehealth-delivered intensive motor training program. This study adds a continuum of care and access to services for children and families with limited resources. The study supports clinicians with home program design and meets the individual needs of families using resources in their natural environment.

The normal development of articulation is built upon the normal development of motor skills (Morris, 1970). Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage and is characterized by neuromuscular incoordination. This interferes with normal development of motor skills. It also may interfere with normal development of speech if dysarthria is present. Because of these factors, the synergy of movement of the oral muscles used in feeding, in speech and in execution of diadochokinetic movements of the oral muscles is affected. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not the performance of feeding skill movements or the performance of diadochokinesis of the oral muscles was significantly related to the synergy of movement for speech. The end purpose of the design was to determine whether or not articulatory proficiency in cerebral palsied children might be predicted from a feeding skills or diadochokinetic test.