The Clinical Utility of the Comparative Analysis of Performance — Motor (CAP-M) for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background and aim:

The focus of upper limb assessment for people with neurological damage has expanded beyond impairment factors. Assessments that evaluate the impact of impairment factors within tasks are needed to ensure that interventions address task performance. The Comparative Analysis of Performance — Motor (CAP-M) identifies upper limb impairments during performance of a client-chosen occupational task and uses this information to guide goal formulation. This study investigated the clinical utility of the CAP-M with children with cerebral palsy.

Method:

Ten occupational therapists each administered the CAP-M with one child with cerebral palsy. The participants were involved in a focus group or focused discussion. Constant comparative analysis was used to guide data collection and identify key themes.

Findings and conclusion:

The participants reported that the tool was a useful addition to the current upper limb assessments available for children with spastic cerebral palsy and some voluntary movement. Useful features of the tool were its focus on meaningful tasks, its effectiveness as an observational and educational tool and its usefulness in directing intervention selection. The findings support the development of upper limb assessment tools that span a range of ages and diagnoses and link impairment level factors with task performance.