Implementation of Intensive Therapy for Early Reach through PLAY (INTERPLAY)

Contact

Alicia Hilderley (University of Calgary): INTERPLAY.study@ucalgary.ca

Principal Investigators

Adam Kirton (ACHRI, University of Calgary)

Darcy Fehlings (Holland Bloorview, University of Toronto)

John Andersen (Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, University of Alberta)

Project summary

Hand and arm therapy is important for improving lifelong hand function in infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP). This play-based therapy is delivered by caregivers, who are coached by therapists. However, access to this therapy is very limited for Canadian children with CP under age two. This project aims to first identify factors that may facilitate or hinder the delivery of intensive therapy, from the viewpoints of caregivers, therapists, and health care administrators. These findings will then inform the design of implementation strategies, which will aim to increase early hand therapy delivered to infants and toddlers across Canada.

Research theme: BRIGHT Realities – Projects to effectively bring interventions into the lives of children and their families

Audience: Infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP) in Canada.

Phase 1 study: Stimulation for Perinatal Stroke Optimizing Recovery Trajectory (SPORT)

Project updates

2023-24

As of March 31, 2024, INTERPLAY has received research ethics approval at all three of its study sites. The team has finished data collection for a national survey about barriers and facilitators to early hand therapy. The survey was completed by 80 people: 15 caregivers of children with asymmetric hand use due to cerebral palsy who were six years old or younger, 54 pediatric occupational therapists, and 11 leads/managers of pediatric occupation therapy programs.

In 2024-2025, the team will conduct interviews with a subset of participants. Interview questions will ask about barriers and facilitators, and also strategies to address barriers and leverage facilitators. In the final study phase, the research team will organize a virtual group meeting with participants to prioritize implementation strategies.  

Follow our work

Website: The Interplay Research Study

Instagram: @therapy4littlehands