Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41624975›Full record

ArticleJournal of hand surgery global online2026

Impact on Families of Upper Extremity Surgical Treatment for Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Sarah Romans, Adam Mosa, Lindley B Wall

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of hand surgery global online, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sarah RomansDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO.
Adam MosaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Lindley B WallDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: Upper-extremity surgery for children with cerebral palsy (CP) aims to address spasticity, improve function, and enhance quality of life. Although previous research has focused on functional outcomes, limited data exist regarding the broader impact of these surgeries on families. This study examines the psychosocial, functional, and familial impacts of upper-extremity surgery in CP patients, which in turn would to inform preoperative education and postoperative support strategies. Methods: Parents/guardians of children with CP who underwent upper-extremity surgery at least 6 months prior were recruited. Participants completed the validated Impact on Family Scale survey and participated in semistructured interviews exploring family experiences. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was performed, with intercoder reliability achieved through independent coding. Survey data were analyzed to identify common family impacts. Results: Thirteen interviews were conducted (11 parents, two patients). Thematic analysis identified six overarching themes: (1) functional and mobility improvements, including range of motion; (2) independence in activities of daily living; (3) positive cosmetic impacts; (4) patient psychosocial outcomes, such as increased confidence and social engagement; (5) family-level psychosocial outcomes, including stress during recovery and the importance of external family support systems; and (6) interactions with the care team. Impact on Family Scale survey results had a mean score of 55.1 and revealed that psychosocial and financial burdens varied, with the highest agreement for statements emphasizing normalization of the child's condition. Conclusions: Upper-extremity surgery for CP has profound physical and psychosocial impacts on both patients and their families. Improvements in functional independence, confidence, and aesthetics were commonly observed; however, emotional challenges during recovery were notable. The findings underscore the importance of setting realistic expectations, providing robust preoperative education, and ensuring access to psychosocial support systems. Future studies should investigate longitudinal outcomes and interventions to better support families during the surgical journey. Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic IV.

Indexed as

Cerebral palsyPediatricQualitativeSurgeryUpper extremity

Identifiers

PMID41624975
PMCPMC12860347

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.