Cerebral Palsy: A Health Education Case Study on Lifestyle Changes

This case study examines the health challenges faced by Cassie, a 29-year-old diagnosed with cerebral palsy, focusing on her fatigue and unhealthy lifestyle. It highlights the importance of addressing modifiable risk factors like physical inactivity and poor diet through interventions involving physiotherapists, dieticians, and occupational therapists. The case emphasizes the role of professional nursing care and medical therapies in managing anxiety and physical weakness. It also applies the theory of planned behavior to motivate Cassie towards healthier habits, focusing on personal attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Innovative strategies to encourage behavior modification include dietary changes and increased physical activity. Support services like the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia are recommended to provide comprehensive assistance, including clinical management, lifestyle programs, and assistive technology. The ultimate goal is to improve Cassie's overall health and quality of life through a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.

Health education narrated
POWERPOINT

Case study summarization:
 Cassie, 29 years old has wrong lifestyle factors where she faces fatigue at end of work day due to extreme hectic lifestyle
factors ad improper eating habits. Cassie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 2 years old, has no surgical history in past
and has health issue of mild anxiety. She has been referred to physiotherapists, dietician, occupational therapists and will be
undergoing appointments for improved recovery.
 The chosen modifiable risk factors are physical inactivity and unhealthy food intake of Cassie, where this has impacted
overall health of Cassie.
 The patient has been referred to dietician, occupational therapist and physiotherapist for further appointments and
improvement within health. Cassie needs professional nursing care to be given, medical therapies by doctors and nurses to
get over anxiety issue and physical weakness, fatigue.

Pathophysiology:
 Cassie has improper food intake habits and has been relying extensively
on fast foods, which has made her weak and fatigued at end of the
working day. She has been diagnosed with cerebral Palsy at 2 years old,
and has health issue of mild anxiety.
 The primary functional difficulty under Cerebral Palsy is in movement
and posture, i.e it is associated with permanent disturbances in sensations
and cognition abilities. Cassie need to be given physical therapy, for
improved motor skills and prevention of motor problems from getting
worse.

The theory of planned behavior
 The theory of planned behavior, enables to capture motivational factors that influences behavior, based on stronger intention
to engage in behavior and practically towards performance aspects. There are three dimensions which comes under theory of
planned behavior, which are personal attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavior control which enables to improvise
extensive development in recovery from disease.
 Personal attitude: Registered nurse in implementing theory of planned behavior, will be significantly focusing on reducing
anxiety in Cassie and developing timely health care services for improved health. In developing personal attitude, therapist
should focus on proper therapies for improving personal attitude and getting over depression.

Innovative and practical strategy to encourage risk factor
behavior modification, RNs role within strategy
 Cassie for developing innovative and practical strategy to improve
health and recovery from Cerebral Palsy, has to modify risk factor
behaviors identified which are improper food intake habits and less
physical activity.
 Cassie has to develop proper eating habits, within meals during lunch,
dinner and breakfast and take specific nutritional meal plan from
dietician. To remove fatigue and overall weakness in body, Cassie
should be given proper meals and physical activities inclusion as it will
restore her internal strength.

Service/ group and area able to assist and RN role within
strategy
 Cerebral Palsy Alliance in Australia is one of the best service are group, where it includes clinical management
therapy, lifestyle and social health programs for people having cerebral Palsy. The experienced youth team under service area
aims to meet new people, build new skills among patient for recovering from illness.
 It creates positive health improvement in patient health, diversely motivates to lead healthy lifestyle and also regulates proper
check. It comprehensively aims to provide assistive technology, home modifications and supports employment, supports
accommodation and day program designed for patient to overcome illness. The service will assist to overcome Cerebral Palsy,
have healthy lifestyle and eating habits and be physically fit.

REFRENCES
 Howard, J. J., Graham, K., & Shortland, A. P. (2022). Understanding skeletal muscle in cerebral palsy: a path to personalized
medicine?. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 64(3). 289-295.
 Li, N & et.al, (2022). In-depth analysis reveals complex molecular aetiology in a cohort of idiopathic cerebral palsy. Brain. 145(1).
119-141.
 Aravamuthan, B. R. & et.al (2022). Diagnostic preferences include discussion of etiology for adults with cerebral palsy and their
caregivers. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.
 Ostojic, K & et.al, (2022). Lived experiences of pain in children and young people with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine &
Child Neurology. 64(3). 364-371.
 Conner, B. C. & et.al, (2022). Relationship between ankle function and walking ability for children and young adults with cerebral
palsy: A systematic review of deficits and targeted interventions. Gait & Posture. 91. 165-178.
 Larsen, S. M & et.al, (2022). Recurrent pain in adolescents with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal population‐based study. Developmental
Medicine & Child Neurology. 64(3). 357-363.