1. Update of ISPO Cerebral Palsy consensus conference
In 2008, ISPO held a consensus conference in order to update information regarding orthotics treatment of Cerebral Palsy by drawing on recent research and evidence. Dr Chris Morris, Principal Orthotist, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre and Research Fellow, Dept of Public Health & Wolfson College, University of Oxford, assisted to organise the conference, wrote this article and can be contacted for further information via Christopher.Morris@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
Recent developments in healthcare for cerebral palsy: implications and opportunities for orthotics
ISPO sponsored a consensus conference held in 1994 that considered the evidence for the lower limb orthotic management of children with cerebral palsy. The resulting report, published the following year, became the best selling publication of the society and was the basis for nine instructional courses held around the world. That report is now out of print, and also out of date.
Last year the ISPO Executive Committee agreed to sponsor a follow-up meeting to take account subsequent research and changes in the health care of people with cerebral palsy. The focus of the follow-up meeting was expanded to also examine the evidence for the management of the spine, hip and upper limb.
Experts use latest evidence to make recommendations
In September 2008, an international multidisciplinary group of 26 health professionals and research scientists, assembled at Wolfson College in Oxford. Reviewers presented papers on the definition and classification of cerebral palsy and gait disorders, and the current concepts and evidence to support physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical, orthopaedic and orthotic management.
Following the presentation of the reviews, small group sessions were convened to discuss gaps in the evidence and to consider areas of controversy. Plenary sessions were then used to synthesise the recommendations of each of the groups. The three and half day meeting was rich in content but also intensely hard work for all involved as a huge amount of material was covered.
The multidisciplinary group of international experts who contributed to the consensus conference on orthotics management for people with Cerebral Palsy.
Reviews, conclusions and recommendations to be freely available
Manuscripts of all the reviews were collated, and the presentations by reviewers were video recorded. The discussion sessions were audio recorded, and these recordings have been analysed to deduce conclusions and recommendations.
The reviews, conclusions and recommendations will be made freely available by ISPO through the Internet, and the full report will be available for purchase from the society. As I write, at the beginning of 2009, the video recordings and manuscripts are being edited and agreement is being sought from participants for the resulting conclusions and recommendations. Once these stages are completed, the report will be published later this year.
Foundation for update of future courses
The report will be used by Jules Becher, the ISPO Task Office for CP Orthotics, as educational resource for future courses; and will be disseminated as widely as possibly with the aim of improving the health care of people with cerebral palsy worldwide.
Appreciation for conference organisers
The meeting was successful because of the effort and commitment of all involved. I would particularly like to thank my co-organisers David Condie and John Fisk, and Dan Blocka and Becki Petri for their work recording and editing the videos.
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