The effect of the cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) approach for children with Cerebral palsy

The study was planned to investigate the effects of "Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance" (CO-OP) approach on children's occupational performance and satisfaction as well as functional status in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and to determine the level of satisfaction of families with this approach. In the study, 30 children with CP were randomized, 15 received routine neurodevelopmental therapy and the other 15 received additional CO-OP approach twice a week for 5 weeks. Occupational performance and satisfaction levels of the participants were evaluated with Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and functional status was evaluated with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and the first and last values were compared. In addition, the satisfaction levels of the families after the CO-OP application were determined by Visual Analogue Scale. As a result, performance (p=0.001) and satisfaction (p=0.001) and functional skills (p=0.001) of the CO-OP group improved, while the need for caregiver assistance (p=0.001) was reduced. In the last evaluations, performance (p=0.039) and functional skills total score (p=0.01) were increased in the control group, but no statistically significant difference was found in the satisfaction levels, functional skills sub-parameters and caregiver assistance of the children. In addition, the satisfaction levels of families towards the CO-OP approach were found to be high (9.80 ± 0.47). According to these findings, because of its positive effects, it is considered beneficial to include CO-OP approach in the routine treatment of children with CP. Despite these, further studies are needed in terms of long-term effects of CO-OP approach.