LAUSR

Abstract Purpose Children with cerebral palsy (CP) or spina bifida (SB) often have executive dysfunction affecting activity performance. With the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach, children find their own way to perform activities, using problem-solving strategies and meta-cognitive thinking. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the CO-OP Approach in children with CP or SB, compared with conventional rehabilitation, in achieving self-identified activity goals, and to explore any generalization and transfer effects. Method Randomized controlled trial, CO-OP versus treatment as usual, 38 children (7–16 years) participated. Each child identified four goals (to study generalization and transfer, one remained untrained). Primary outcomes: Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS). Secondary outcomes assessed executive functions and self-rated everyday-life competence. Results Self-rated goal attainment (COPM) was significantly greater for both trained and untrained goals in the CO-OP group compared with the control group. The rating of observed performance (PQRS) was significantly higher for trained goals in the CO-OP group. The CO-OP group experienced fewer problems in everyday life after treatment. Executive functions did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion CO-OP is more effective than ordinary treatment in achieving both trained and untrained goals. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION CO-OP enables children with CP (MACS levels I–III) or SB without intellectual disabilities to reach self-identified goals. CO-OP shows transfer effects to new activities and situations, which may enhance children’s self-efficacy. CO-OP is an important complement to conventional rehabilitation services for children with CP and SB.