Application of a program for improving cognitive and emotional functioning in children with cerebral palsy
This work is licensed under a Сreative Commons Atribiution - NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Abstract
Background. Cognitive impairments are common in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and do not necessarily correspond to motor severity, supporting the need for targeted correction programs.
Objective. To evaluate changes in cognitive and emotional functioning after a comprehensive psychological correction program and examine associations between CP type and psychological functioning.
Sample. Eighty-eight children with CP were assessed. Fifty-one children (mean age 12.510 ± 3.184 years; 27 boys, 24 girls) completed the full rehabilitation program. Data from 37 children (12.730 ± 3.477 years; 20 boys, 17 girls) who did not complete all procedures were used in secondary analyses.
Methods. The 21-day inpatient program combined neuropsychological correction targeting attention, executive/regulatory, and visuospatial functions with biofeedback training. Pre- and post-program assessment included the Schulte Tables, Choice Reaction task, complex figure copying, and measures of anxiety and fears. Motor impairment was classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System.
Wilcoxon, Kruskal–Wallis, and Spearman tests were used.
Results. At follow-up, children completed the Schulte Tables faster, performed better on complex figure copying, made fewer Choice Reaction errors (all p < .001), and reported fewer fears (p = .018). Improvements were most evident in executive/regulatory and visuospatial indicators. Anxiety did not change significantly. Children with left-sided hemiparesis had greater difficulty learning task instructions (p < .001). Motor severity was not associated with cognitive indicators.
Conclusion. The findings provide preliminary evidence of improvement in executive/regulatory and visuospatial functioning after the program and support individualized rehabilitation. The psychotherapeutic component requires further refinement.
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