Cerebral Palsy Hip Outcomes Project - International Multi-centre Study

Background: Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) are at high risk for dislocating their hips. These hips are associated with contractures and pain, which can interfere with care-giving, seating, positioning, mobility and quality of life. The primary purpose of this project (Aim 2) is to evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention strategies to prevent or relieve the symptoms associated with hip instability in children with severe non-ambulatory CP, using the validated Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD©) questionnaire as the primary outcome measure of health related quality of life (HRQL) for this population. Secondarily, this project will also measure the impact of hip displacement on HRQL of these children. This project will be the first of its kind and this scale, which will systematically study the impact of hip instability and its management in children with severe CP, using a meaningful outcome measure that was developed specifically for this purpose. The international network of investigators/sites and the infrastructure established for this project will facilitate the long term follow-up of the participants in this study, as well as the conduct of other multi-centre clinical trials and cohort studies to evaluate the effectiveness of current and future interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of children with severe disabilities.

Study Design & Participants: International multi-centre prospective longitudinal cohort study of children with severe (non-ambulant) cerebral palsy (GMFCS levels IV & V) from ages 3 to 18 who have radiographic evidence of hip displacement [Reimer's Migration Percentage (MP) ≥ 30%].

Measures: Detailed demographic information, and prognostic factors, including co-morbid conditions will be recorded at baseline, in addition to self-administered parental reports of HRQL as measured by the CPCHILD. Hip status will be classified using standardized radiographic measures of Reimer's MP and acetabular index (AI). The primary outcome measure CPCHILD, as well as the MP & AI will be measured at 6, 12 and 24 months following initial intervention.

Aim 1: Measure the impact of increasing hip displacement in children with severe (non-ambulant) CP on their HRQL as measured by the CPCHILD questionnaire.

Aim 2: (Primary Purpose): Measure the effectiveness of different strategies of interventions for hip displacement in children with severe (non-ambulant) CP in a prospective longitudinal comparative cohort study using the CPCHILD as the primary outcome measure of HRQL.

Aim 3: Compare the types and rates of adverse events and complications associated with each of the treatment cohorts.

Methods: Observational study of usual (site/surgeon specific) clinical practice. Investigators at each site will enroll eligible participants and assign each to one of the following 5 cohorts based on individual treating doctor's &/or parental preferences:

A. "Natural" history or watchful waiting (N=100)

B. Serial botulinum toxin injections +/- abduction bracing (N=100)

C. Adductor (+/- psoas) muscle releases alone (N=100)

D. Hip reconstructive surgery (N=100)

E. Salvage hip surgery (N=100)

The baseline MP and CPCHILD scores for all participants will be analyzed cross-sectionally to evaluate the correlation between hip displacement and the CPCHILD scores to serve Aim 1. For Aim 2, children undergoing interventions for hip instability (Groups B, C, D, & E) will be compared with each other as well as with their respective matched counterparts of untreated children (Group A), using repeated measures of analysis of covariance (ANOCOVA) to measure the mean change in scores from baseline at 6, 12 and 24 months after intervention.

Timelines: 500 participants will be recruited in 24 months, and followed for 24 months. The analysis, reporting of results, manuscript development and knowledge transfer will take 12 months. In total, the study will take 5 years to complete.