Purpose: To describe and evaluate a local program of intensive goal-directed motor skills training for a small number of children with cerebral palsy.
Methods: Multiple single-subject (ABA) design over a period of 18 weeks consisting of A1: 6 weeks of assessment and goal setting; B: 6 weeks of intensive goal-directed functional training combining group and individual sessions; and A2: 6 weeks of follow-up. Six children, 3 to 11 years old, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I, II, and IV participated in this study. Outcome measures were Gross Motor Function Measure-66, functional hand grips, pediatric evaluation of disability inventory, fine motor speed, Assisting Hand Assessment, and Goal Attainment Scale.
Results: On completion of the described program, 29 of 35 individual goals were reached. Gross Motor Function Measure-66, functional hand grips, and self-care and mobility scores of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory showed significant gains.
Conclusions: An intensive program combining group and individual sessions resulted in a high rate of goal attainment and positive changes in relevant outcome measures even if the children had different age, goal areas, and functional levels.