Does Physitrack 'Registered Trademark' improve participation in exercise programmes in children with cerebral palsy?

The intervention being trialled is a home exercise programme delivered using Physitrack 'Registered Trademark'. Physitrack 'Registered Trademark' is an online, app-based exercise programme platform, designed to improve exercise participation with features including: professional videos of over 2000 exercises, audio transcripts of spoken instructions for each exercise, customisable dosage parameter) (eg hold times, repetitions, sets), a calendar to select exercise days, and capacity for the user to provide feedback online and the therapist to respond. In addition, Physitrack 'Registered Trademark' provides a therapist working in the community- using a smartphone or tablet device- with the ability to custom-make exercise videos of the child or caregiver, to be included in their home programme. Prior to the 8-week intervention period of this study, the participants' primary treating community physiotherapist will arrange two, 1 hour, home visit appointments for the participants: both the child and their parent to attend. The community physiotherapists are registered physiotherapists employed in Western Australian in community physiotherapy services and private physiotherapy practices, of varying levels of experience, who have responded to the invitation to participate. They will be trained in using Physitrack 'Registered Trademark' via a 60min webinar conducted by the Programme Director at Physitrack, and asked to practice using Physitrack prior to the data collection period. The first home visit that these physiotherapists schedule with the participants, is to determine specific goals for the exercise programme and to trial exercises for the programme. The exercise programme is individualised by the physiotherapist for each participant, based on agreed goals and their ability to perform essential elements of the exercises that were trialled at the first appointment. Some examples of common exercises in this population includes, but is not limited to: gastrocnemius standing stretch, sitting hamstring stretch, heel raises, bridging exercise, wall squats, plank exercise, wall push-ups, and running and jumping drills. The intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise will be determined individually by the community physiotherapist, as per standard care. At the second appointment the physiotherapist will review the home exercises with the participant and deliver the programme: the treatment group will receive their individualised home programme of exercises delivered with Physitrack 'Registered Trademark'. At this appointment the physiotherapist will explain- verbally and by demonstration on mobile device (smartphone or tablet)- how to use the app or website; and go through each selected exercise on the app. After this second appointment the family will then be left to continue the exercise programme at home using Physitrack website or the Physitrack 'Registered Trademark' app for Apple or Android devices. During the 8 week intervention period, the community physiotherapist will follow-up on the participant's exercise programme according to their usual practice which incorporates the preferences of the family, as in a family-centred practice model. This may be regular appointments; one or several follow-up appointments; one or several phone calls or emails;, or no follow-up at all. This follow-up will be documented by the primary physiotherapists. Participants will keep a record of which exercises are completed in an exercise log book, which will be provided to them. Participants may seek support with the programme, or specifically with using Physitrack, by contacting their primary treating physiotherapist. If the therapist requires further support themselves, this can be accessed from Physitrack staff by phone call or email.