FES Implementation Pediatrics

NCT ID: NCT06689007

Last Updated: 2025-07-23

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-07-18

Brief Summary

Physical rehabilitation interventions that promote activity-dependent neuroplasticity are desired for children with CP as this will result in improved motor skill and function. In adult neurological populations, such as stroke and spinal cord injury, FES is a recommended, evidence-based intervention that addresses motor and sensory impairments and promotes neuroplasticity. The evidence base supporting the safety, feasibility and efficacy of FES for youth with CP is rapidly growing, yet FES is not commonly used in Canadian pediatric rehabilitation. Through interviews with Canadian pediatric physical and occupational therapists, we identified numerous barriers to FES implementation, including a lack of knowledge and training in FES, difficulty accessing FES equipment, and a perceived lack of time to deliver FES within a treatment session. To address these barriers, we have developed an implementation intervention for FES that consists of an online course and toolkit for physical and occupational therapists. As a next step, we will evaluate the effects of the implementation intervention on pediatric therapists' knowledge, confidence and use of FES.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Implementation Intervention

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Implementation Intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

The intervention employs four established implementation strategies according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change: conduct educational meetings, provide ongoing consultation, provide technical assistance, and change physical structure and equipment. The first component is a six-week online course led by the PI that combines weekly pre-recorded lectures, hands-on activities, group mentoring sessions and a reflective assignment. The second component of the intervention is ensuring access to the equipment needed for FES. The third component of the intervention is access to the FES Toolkit.

Interventions

Implementation Intervention

The intervention employs four established implementation strategies according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change: conduct educational meetings, provide ongoing consultation, provide technical assistance, and change physical structure and equipment. The first component is a six-week online course led by the PI that combines weekly pre-recorded lectures, hands-on activities, group mentoring sessions and a reflective assignment. The second component of the intervention is ensuring access to the equipment needed for FES. The third component of the intervention is access to the FES Toolkit.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Licensed to practice physical or occupational therapy in Canada.

2. Report that CP comprises ≥20% of their caseload over the past year.

3. Has not previously taken a continuing education course in FES.

4. Reports never (0% of treatment sessions) or rarely (1-20% of treatment sessions) using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or FES in their clinical practice.

5. Report being able to participate in a six-week online FES course from October 18 2024 - November 28 2024.

6. Able to complete the course and interview in English.

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University Health Network, Toronto

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Kristin Musselman

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Countries

Canada

Other Identifiers

46640

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id