Feasibility and effectiveness of the blended care pirate group

Intensive upper limb rehabilitation is essential for children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Home-based training may extend practice opportunities and reduce logistical constraints. This study examined the feasibility of a blended care approach in the mCIMT-BiT Pirate group, adapted from the fully on-site program. Seventeen children (2.5–8 years) participated in an eight-week program combining two three-hour weekly on-site sessions with a recommended three hours of weekly home training. Feasibility was evaluated through adherence, acceptability (questionnaires and interviews), and limited efficacy testing of affected arm use. Mean adherence was 43% (77 minutes/week), with the highest rate in week one (63%) declining to 24% by week eight. Qualitative analyses yielded three themes: (1) support, strong support from therapists and the environment was noted; (2) motivation, initially high but decreasing over time; and (3) logistics, with difficulties in scheduling home sessions. Questionnaire results were consistent with interview findings. Children showed an improvement on affected arm use in standardized tests and daily life.
In conclusion, feasibility of blended care in the mCIMT-BiT Pirate group was limited, with a low adherence. However, meaningful improvements were observed in the use of the affected upper limb. Parents intended continuing home practice, suggesting possible long-term benefits.
This dataset contains questionnaire data, adherence data and efficacy data.