engleski

Family as a Factor in Cerebral Palsy Prevention

The aim of the study was to assess maternal perception of family impact on the course and outcome of rehabilitation in children with cerebral motor impairment. The study included 135 children with cerebral motor impairment, Their motor development was followed-up over one year period by use of structured interview with childrens mothers after 12-months rehabilitation. The course of rehabilitation was assessed by the method of locomotor system functional evaluation. The improvement achieved in motor development was significantly better in the group of children whose mothers found their relationship with the extended family excellent than in those whose mothers considered it good or poor. The study showed that mothers to children with cerebral motor impairment frequently feel the lack of extended family support, being it real or perceived as such by the mothers due to their emotional sensitivity, suggesting the need of additional studies of the reason for this. These findings indicate that greater attention should be paid by health professionals to the psychological support offered to these mothers.

cerebral motor impairment; rehabilitation; extended family; psychological support

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