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School-based physical therapy services and student functional performance at school
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

School-based physical therapy services and student functional performance at school

Sarah Westcott McCoy, Susan K. Effgen, Lisa A. Chiarello, Lynn M. Jeffries and Alejandro G. Villasante Tezanos
Developmental medicine and child neurology, v 60(11), pp 1140-1148
01 Nov 2018
PMID: 29603734
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.13748View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Maybe Open Access (Publisher Bronze) Open

Abstract

Clinical Neurology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Neurosciences & Neurology Pediatrics Science & Technology
AimWe explored relationships of school-based physical therapy to standardized outcomes of students receiving physical therapy. MethodUsing a practice-based evidence research design, School Function Assessment (SFA) outcomes of 296 students with disabilities (mean age 7y 4mo [standard deviation 2y]; 166 males, 130 females), served by 109 physical therapists, were explored. After training, therapists completed 10 SFA scales on students at the beginning and end of the school year. Therapists collected detailed weekly data on services (activities, interventions, types, student participation) using the School-Physical Therapy Interventions for Pediatrics (S-PTIP) system. Stepwise linear regressions were used to investigate S-PTIP predictors of SFA outcomes. ResultsPredictors of SFA section outcomes varied in strength, with the coefficient of determination (R-2) for each outcome ranging from 0.107 to 0.326. Services that correlated positively with the SFA outcomes included mobility, sensory, motor learning, aerobic/conditioning, functional strengthening, playground access interventions, and higher student participation during therapy (standardized =0.11-0.26). Services that correlated negatively with the SFA outcomes included providing services within student groups, within school activity, with students not in special education, during recreation activities, and with positioning, hands-on facilitation, sensory integration, orthoses, and equipment interventions (standardized =-0.14 to -0.22). InterpretationConsideration of outcomes is prudent to focus services. Overall results suggest we should emphasize active mobility practice by using motor learning interventions and engaging students within therapy sessions.

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15 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Pediatrics
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