FES Implementation Pediatrics

NCT06689007 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 46640
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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)

Keywords

functional electrical stimulation; implementation intervention; physical therapist; occupational therapist

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• FES knowledge quiz

  From pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention and six months post-intervention

• FES Confidence Questionnaire

  From pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention and six months post-intervention

• FES Use Survey

  From pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention and six months post-intervention

• Technology Assistance Model 2 Questionnaire

  From pre-intervention to immediately post-intervention and six months post-intervention

• Semi-structured Interview

  Guided by the RE-AIM Framework

  Six months post-intervention

Study Arms (1)

Implementation Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Implementation Intervention

Interventions

Implementation Intervention 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.

Implementation Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Licensed to practice physical or occupational therapy in Canada.
• Report that CP comprises ≥20% of their caseload over the past year.
• Has not previously taken a continuing education course in FES.
• Reports never (0% of treatment sessions) or rarely (1-20% of treatment sessions) using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or FES in their clinical practice.
• Report being able to participate in a six-week online FES course from October 18 2024 - November 28 2024.
• Able to complete the course and interview in English.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Health Network, Toronto: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1V7, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 12, 2024
• First Posted: November 14, 2024
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: July 18, 2025
• Study Completion: July 18, 2025
• Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

CA (1)