Characteristics of trial participants at baseline: number (%)*
| Control group (n=71) | Intervention group (n=71) | All (n=142) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (range) age (years) | 7.6 (5–12) | 8.0 (5–12) | 7.8 (5–12) |
| Gender | |||
| Female | 28 (40) | 31 (44) | 59 (42) |
| Social class of mother | |||
| 1 (highest) | 31 (44) | 23 (33) | 54 (38) |
| 2 | 13 (18) | 18 (25) | 31 (22) |
| 3 | 23 (32) | 25 (35) | 48 (34) |
| 4 (lowest) | 4 (6) | 5 (7) | 9 (6) |
| Ethnic group of main carer | |||
| Asian | 6 (8) | 8 (11) | 14 (10) |
| Black | 11 (16) | 10 (14) | 21 (15) |
| Mixed | 1 (1) | – | 1 (1) |
| White | 53 (75) | 51 (72) | 104 (73) |
| Other | – | 2 (3) | 2 (1) |
| School | |||
| Home educated | – | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
| Mainstream | 25 (35) | 31 (44) | 56 (39) |
| Special needs | 40 (56) | 33 (46) | 73 (51) |
| Special needs/mainstream | 6 (9) | 6 (9) | 12 (9) |
| Communication difficulties | |||
| Has difficulties | 55 (78) | 38 (54) | 93 (66) |
| Fits | |||
| Yes | 26 (36) | 18 (25) | 44 (31) |
| No | 43 (61) | 51 (72) | 94 (66) |
| Don't know | 2 (3) | 2 (3) | 4 (3) |
| Gross Motor Function Classification System category | |||
| 2 | 20 (28) | 22 (31) | 42 (29) |
| 3 | 8 (11) | 6 (9) | 14 (10) |
| 4 | 8 (11) | 13 (18) | 21 (15) |
| 5 | 35 (50) | 30 (42) | 65 (46) |
| Prior beliefs | |||
| Strong | 19 (27) | 18 (25) | 37 (26) |
| Not strong | 52 (73) | 53 (75) | 105 (74) |
| Diagnosis | |||
| Quadriplegia only | 34 (48) | 35 (49) | 69 (49) |
| Diplegia only | 13 (18) | 13 (18) | 26 (18) |
| Hemiplegia only | 13 (18) | 12 (17) | 25 (17) |
| Athetoid CP only | 6 (9) | 5 (7) | 11 (7) |
| Athetoid CP+ quadriplegia | – | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
| Athetoid CP+ diplegia | – | 1 (1) | 1 (1) |
| Quadriplegia + periventricular leukomalacia | 1 (1) | – | 1 (1) |
| CP Non-specific | 3 (5) | 4 (7) | 7 (5) |
| Monoplegia | 1 (1) | – | 1 (1) |
↵* Number (%) except age range.
CP, cerebral palsy.