The Effect of Parent-based Occupational Therapy

Background/Aims Parents of children with cerebral palsy face higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, sadness, exhaustion and burnout. Parent-based therapies have been found to increase parents' satisfaction with therapy, parent-child interactions and reduced parental stress. This study examined the effects of parent-based occupational therapy on stress levels, coping skills, and emotional skills and competencies of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Methods A total of 15 children and their parents who were admitted to the paediatric rehabilitation unit for occupational therapy were divided into two groups (control group: n=7, study group: n=8) using the coin toss randomisation method. The control group received standard occupational thearpy, while the study group received parent-based occupational therapy for 45 minutes a session, twice a week, until 10 sessions had been completed. Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention.