What is the current practice of therapists in the measurement of somatosensation in children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders?

Walmsley, Corrin; Taylor, Susan; Parkins, Timothy; Carey, Leeanne; Girdler, Sonya; Elliott, Catherine

doi:10.1111/1440-1630.12431

What is the current practice of therapists in the measurement of somatosensation in children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders?

journal contribution

posted on 2025-10-22, 23:03 authored by Corrin Walmsley, Susan Taylor, Timothy Parkins, Leeanne CareyLeeanne Carey, Sonya Girdler, Catherine Elliott

Background/aim: Somatosensation is the ability to detect and recognise body sensations such as touch, vibration, pressure, pain, temperature and proprioception. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that is often accompanied by impairments in somatosensation. Current somatosensory assessments have limited psychometrics established for use with these children. The aim of this study was to identify therapists’ current practice and perspectives related to the assessment of somatosensation in children with neurological disorders. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was used to identify the somatosensory assessments currently used in clinical practice, time allocated to assessment, and therapists’ satisfaction and confidence using the available assessments of somatosensation. The questionnaire was adapted from a previously utilised questionnaire that identified therapists’ use of somatosensory assessments with adults post-stroke. Results: A total of 135 therapists responded to the questionnaire. Seventy-nine (92%) occupational therapists and 44 (89.7%) physiotherapists indicated that they currently assessed or treated children with somatosensory deficits. Sixty-four (82.1%) occupational therapists and 38 (86.3%) physiotherapists regarded assessment of somatosensation in children with neurological disorders as important to very important. However, only seven (8.8%) occupational therapists and seven (15.9%) physiotherapists reported confidence in their ability to do so. The methods with which therapists detect and measure somatosensory impairment in children with neurological disorders are variable, with non-standardised and/or informal assessments most frequently used. Conclusion: Despite there being recommendations of best practice for the assessment of specific domains of somatosensation in children with cerebral palsy, current practice does not yet mirror these recommendations. Additionally, therapists have low satisfaction and confidence with what they are currently using, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and standardised assessment of somatosensation for use in children with neurological disorders.<p></p>

Funding

This research was completed with financial supportfrom the School of Occupational Therapy and SocialWork at Curtin University.

History

Publication Date

2018-01-01

Journal

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

Volume

65

Issue

2

Pagination

9p. (p. 89-97)

Publisher

Wiley

ISSN

1440-1630

Rights Statement

© 2017 Occupational Therapy Australia. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Walmsley C, et al (2018). What is the current practice of therapists in the measurement of somatosensation in children with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders?. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 65(2), 89-97, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12431. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.