Outcome measures
| Measure | Subscales used/description | Completed by |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Motor Function Measure-6617 – primary outcome measure | Scores range 0–100, higher score = better mobility | Physiotherapists blinded to the child's allocation group at 6 months |
| Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ)13 – primary outcome measure | A generic measure of quality of life ▶ Family activities subscale (CHQ-FA) ▶ Family cohesion subscale (CHQ-FC). Scores range 0–100Higher score = better family functioning ▶ Physical Summary Score (CHQ-PhS) ▶ Psychological Summary Score (CHQ-PsS)Higher score = better health | Parent/carer at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months |
| Paediatric pain profile14 | A behaviour rating scale designed and validated specifically for children with disabilities. Children were rated on their ‘best’ and ‘worst’ day in terms of their pain over the preceding week. ▶ ‘Best day’ pain score ▶ ‘Worst day’ pain score*Scores range 0–60, higher score = worst pain | Parent/carer at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months |
| Sleep diary | ▶ Time to sleep – mean score of how long the child took to fall sleep ▶ Time asleep – mean score of how long the child slept overnight | Parent/carer at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months for 1 week |
| Short Form-36 (SF-36)15 | The most widely used generic measure of adult quality of life. ▶ Physical Component Summary Score (SF-36 PCS) ▶ Mental Component Summary Score (SF-36 MCS)Scores have a population mean of 50, any score above/below indicating better/poorer health. | Parent/carer at baseline, 10 weeks and 6 months |
| Global health | Whether child's general health was same/better/worse than previously | Parent/carer at 10 weeks and 6 months |
| Global sleeping | Whether child's sleeping was same/better/worse than previously | Parent/carer at 10 weeks and 6 months |
↵* Actual wording: ‘The most painful episode of the most troublesome pain for your child in the last week’.