Experience of parents in delivering pediatric tuina to children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative findings from focus group interviews

Abstract

Background Evidence suggests that pediatric tuina, a modality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), might have beneficial effects on the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as overall improvements in concentration, flexibility, mood, sleep quality, and social functioning. This study was conducted to understand the facilitators and barriers in the delivery of pediatric tuina by parents to children with ADHD symptoms. Methods This is a focus group interview embedded in a pilot randomized controlled trial on parent-administered pediatric tuina for ADHD in preschool children. Purposive sampling was employed to invite 15 parents who attended our pediatric tuina training program to participate voluntarily in three focus group interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed through template analysis. Results Two themes were identified: (1) facilitators of intervention implementation and (2) barriers to intervention implementation. The theme of the facilitators of intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) perceived benefits to children and parents, (b) acceptability to children and parents, (c) professional support, and (d) parental expectations of the long-term effects of the intervention. The theme of barriers to intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) limited benefits for children’s inattention symptoms, (b) manipulation management difficulties, and (c) limitations of TCM pattern identification. Conclusion Perceived beneficial effects on the children’s sleep quality and appetite and parent–child relationships, as well as timely and professional support, mainly facilitated the implementation of parent-administered pediatric tuina. Slow improvements in the children’s inattention symptoms and the possible inaccuracies of online diagnosis were the dominant barriers of the intervention. Parents have high expectations for the provision of long-term professional support during their practice of pediatric tuina. The intervention presented here can be feasibly used by parents.

Views of Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners on the application of the “Chinese Medicine Anti-epidemic Plans” prepared by the Chinese medicine expert group of central authorities: a focus group study

“…A study comparing face-to-face focus group and online focus group discussions via 16 interview sessions (a total of 48 participants) found that the online focus group communication generated a high volume of ideas and solutions [42]. In our previous study, we also conducted online focus group interviews for qualitative data collection and examined their feasibility, convenience, and safety during the pandemic [43]. This strategy can enable the participation of an adequate number of CM practitioners, and the interviews were conducted in a timely manner.…”

Generation Z’s Health Information Avoidance Behavior: Insights From Focus Group Discussions

“…Data were collected using online focus groups because they may be an effective way to solicit public opinion on health and medical issues, especially from diverse and geographically dispersed participants [39]. The focus groups were conducted through Voov Meeting (Tencent Ltd), the most used online meeting platform in mainland China, which allows for instant communication and enables the moderator to coordinate the entire discussion process appropriately [40].…”

Pediatric Tui Na for Feeding Intolerance in Premature Infants: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Consequently, current guidelines and practices increasingly focus on nonpharmacological treatments such as massage or Tui na [4,17]. Pediatric Tui na, based on the principles of the meridian theory [18] of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) [19], is widely used as a complementary and alternative medicine in East Asia [20][21][22][23]. It treats a range of pediatric diseases by applying various manipulations on the body surface, including pressing, kneading, circling, nipping, and pushing [24,25].…”