Purpose:
To report on the preliminary aquatic physical therapy core sets for children and youth with neurological disorders using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-children and youth version.
Methods:
A formal and structured consensus process was developed, integrating the findings of preparatory studies: a systematic literature review, expert survey with 69 participants, and a qualitative study with 43 participants.
Results:
Five preliminary aquatic physical therapy core sets were described: a Comprehensive Core Set (64 categories); a Common Brief (13 categories); and 3 age-specific Core Sets: infant (below 6 years, 18 categories), school-age (from 6 to <14 years, 22 categories), and youth (from 14 to 18 years, 19 categories).
Conclusions:
Consensus among aquatic physical therapists' expert opinions identified the relevant intervention categories available when treating children and youth with neurological disorders. This list of intervention categories can be used in practice, research, education, and health administration.
HighlightsDue to the unique properties of the water-based environment, a range of categories may be treated.This study reveals the areas of functioning and disability most commonly targeted by aquatic physical therapists.Prior authors have performed Delphi studies to determine the categories related to specific diagnoses, not categorizing interventions.This guide could be included in goal setting for a given condition.This may enable aquatic physical therapists to develop treatment-based classification systems and competencies for entry-level practice.
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