Parental effects from participation in an intensified multimodal programme of habilitation for children with cerebral palsy

Objective: To evaluate the effect on parents of participating in an intensified multimodal programme of habilitation for preschool children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Thirteen pre-school children with CP, and their parents attended four in-patient sessions during the programme period of one-and-a-half years. During each group session, the parents were given lessons in coping strategies and positive adaptation. A group of six CP children receiving traditional follow-up habilitation services and their parents were used as controls. Parental effects were evaluated with Parental Stress Index (PSI) and Life Orientation Test (LOT). Results: Mothers in the intervention group had reduced scores below clinical level on both domains of PSI and an increase in LOT score after the intervention period. No changes in scores were seen for fathers or parents in the control group. Conclusions: The intervention programme seemed to reduce stress and increase optimism among mothers of participating CP children.