Dr Treya Long^1,2,4, Matthew Cooper³, Tanesha  Dimanopoulos^1,2, Victoria Shoesmith^1,2, Dr Mark Fear^1,4, Professor Fiona Wood^1,2,4, Dr Lisa Martin^1,4

¹Fiona Wood Foundation, Perth, Australia, ²Burn Service of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, ³Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia, ⁴University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Abstract:

Burn-injured children are at risk of long-term physical and psychosocial consequences that may require hospitalisation (Duke et al., 2015, Duke et al., 2018, Duke et al., 2016, Duke et al., 2014). Routine follow-up is integral for early identification of at-risk individuals and subsequent intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the grip strength test, timed up-and-go (TUG) and paediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) as screening measures in paediatric burns care. Clinical and outcome data were collected from 130 children (58 male; age 9.8±3.4y) attending scar clinics. Regression models were used to assess risk factors for poor outcomes. Moderate grip strength impairment was observed (right hand (RH), -1.9±5.2; left hand (LH), -1.5±5.1) compared to normative data. Dominant hand burns had little effect on same-sided grip strength (RH: 0.55 (-1.5 to 2.6); LH: -1.3 (-6.4 to 3.9)). Non-dominant hand burns moderately impacted grip strength in the dominant hand (RH burn to LH dominant child, -8.9 (-19.50 to 1.79); LH burn to RH dominant child, -2.53 (-4.6 to -0.5)). Burn-injured children performed the TUG faster than healthy children by 1.7±0.9sec. Mean PedsQL scores were normal, however parent reports indicated that 11.6% of children fell below the cut-off value for Physical Function and 20.5% for Psychosocial Function domains. Child reports indicated 21.7% had Psychosocial Function scores below cut-off values. Positive correlations existed between grip strength and PedsQL scores. Most children recover their physical and psychosocial function post-burn injury; however, some may require additional physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support.

Biography:

Treya is a burns research associate, adjunct research fellow and accredited exercise physiologist. Her PhD explored the use of exercise in the diagnosis and treatment of long-term and late effects of childhood cancer, which lead to the development of a new cardiac rehabilitation service for at-risk children. Treya’s passion for exercise medicine has since extended into the burns unit at Perth Children’s Hospital where she is currently investigating how a burn-injury in childhood impacts strength recovery and physical functioning later in life. Outside of research, Treya practices clinically as an exercise physiologist on the acute inpatient mental health ward.