Rehabilitation and dosing practice for individuals with cerebral palsy in Indonesia: a survey of physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Abstract

Although rehabilitation is vital for cerebral palsy (CP), in Indonesia, where the prevalence is high, practices are understudied. This study aimed to describe rehabilitation practice, explore perceptions of service delivery, and examine how dosage correlated with perceptions to inform strategies. A total of 233 Indonesian therapists (83% physiotherapists; 17% occupational therapists) completed an anonymous online survey between February and April 2025. Survey developed from existing literature and validated through expert review. The survey captured dosage and perceptions of service-related factors (Likert scale). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlations. Therapists reported using both recommended evidence-based practices (e.g., mobility training) and non‑recommended practices (e.g., neurodevelopmental therapy). Rehabilitation typically lasted 30-45 min, 1-2 times/week, with limited agreement on strong evidence-based practice (EBP) exposure, adequate workforce, and families' financial readiness. Therapy time correlated with positive perceptions of EBP exposure (<i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.305), skill set (<i>p</i> = 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.244), infrastructure (<i>p</i> = 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.239), and workforce (<i>p</i> = 0.002, <i>r</i> = 0.231). Moreover, institutional support for training showed the strongest association with greater EBP exposure (<i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>r</i> = 0.700). In Indonesia, rehabilitation practice stays below recommended dosages, mirroring trends elsewhere. Barriers include families' financial constraints, limited workforce, and insufficient exposure to EBP. Institutional support for training is vital for improving therapy and EBP adoption. Increasing the therapist workforce through new programs could enhance the delivery of CP services.