Child-Oriented Goal-Setting for Pediatric Rehabilitation
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Children with disabilities often access rehabilitation services to improve their abilities to participate in everyday activities. Goal-directed therapy is considered an important therapeutic strategy to achieve outcomes that are meaningful to families. Not a lot is known about the effects of goal setting on rehabilitation outcomes. Strategies to help children participate in the goal-setting process are rarely used in clinical practice. The aim of this project is to test the effects of a child-focussed goal setting approach, Enhancing Child Engagement in Goal Setting (ENGAGE), on therapy outcomes. Service use and the cost vs. benefits of the ENGAGE approach compared to usual practice will also be examined. Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities aged 5-12 years old (n=96) who access paediatric rehabilitation services at six rehabilitation sites will participate. Therapists (n=24) at participating sites in Alberta, Canada will be randomized into 1) the ENGAGE intervention group or 2) the usual therapy practice control group. Children will participate in the ENGAGE approach to goal setting or usual practice based on the allocation of their therapist. This study will determine if the ENGAGE approach to goal setting affects child goal performance, satisfaction with goal performance, functional abilities, participation, and parent and child quality of life. The investigators will also evaluate differences in parent and child quality of life in relation to parent costs (e.g., absenteeism, presenteeism, travel costs) and compare amount of therapy time between the two groups to see which approach is more cost-effective and efficient. After the study, children, parents and therapists will be asked to discuss aspects that influenced effective implementation of the ENGAGE approach. This study could provide evidence to improve meaningful child and family outcomes in paediatric rehabilitation and improve efficiency of paediatric rehabilitation services.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if your child has uncontrolled seizures, they cannot participate in the trial.
What safety data exists for child-oriented goal-setting in pediatric rehabilitation?
Is the ENGAGE approach a promising treatment for pediatric rehabilitation?
What data supports the idea that Child-Oriented Goal-Setting for Pediatric Rehabilitation is an effective treatment?
The available research shows that Child-Oriented Goal-Setting for Pediatric Rehabilitation, also known as the ENGAGE approach, may improve child motivation, engagement in therapy, and outcomes related to therapy. It also suggests that this approach can make the delivery of services more efficient compared to usual practices. Additionally, studies indicate that individualized goal setting, which is a part of this approach, engages families more actively in therapy and is associated with positive outcomes. This suggests that the ENGAGE approach is effective in pediatric rehabilitation.12368
Who Is on the Research Team?
Lesley Pritchard-Wiart, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Alberta, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for children aged 5-12 with neurodevelopmental disabilities like autism or cerebral palsy, who are referred to physical or occupational therapy and can participate in goal-setting. They must speak English, as should their guardian. Children with developmental regression or uncontrolled seizures are excluded.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Children participate in the ENGAGE approach to goal setting or usual practice based on the allocation of their therapist. Treatment block lengths vary from 3-8 sessions over 2-8 weeks.
Post-treatment Assessment
Identical assessments are conducted within 10 days of completing therapy to evaluate goal performance, satisfaction, and other outcomes.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in goal performance, satisfaction, and quality of life at 3 months post-treatment.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- ENGAGE approach (child-oriented goal-setting)
ENGAGE approach (child-oriented goal-setting) is already approved in Canada for the following indications:
- Paediatric rehabilitation for neurodevelopmental disabilities
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Alberta
Lead Sponsor
Alberta Health services
Collaborator