Variables Influencing Physiotherapy Adherence Among Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

The findings of this qualitative study provide insight into a range of developmental and personal variables that influence whether young adults with cerebral palsy adhere to physiotherapy programs and advice from physiotherapists, with the aim of improving the quality of services offered to such a population. The study participants included young adults with cerebral palsy between the ages of 16 and 25 years who were enrolled in a college devoted to training disabled young adults. They attended focus groups to discuss their experiences of physiotherapy. A constant comparative method was used within the grounded theory approach for the collection and analysis of data. The results demonstrate that the interaction between physiotherapist and young adult is the essential variable, with the relationship formed being built with trust, respect, and empowerment of the participant. This study offered a valuable opportunity for those often considered too vulnerable to participate in research.

Benefits and Enjoyment of a Swimming Intervention for Youth With Cerebral Palsy

“…These findings are in contrast to regular physical therapy programs that have been reported to cause pain and physical distress. 10 Pain and fatigue are perceived by youth with CP to increase because of exercise and consequently are barriers to engaging in physical activity. 14 In addition, increases in pain and fatigue have been reported to be associated with a higher chance of inactivity in adults with CP.…”

“…10,16 Recently, Riner and Sellhorst 12 recommended physical activity and exercise programs for youth with CP be enjoyable, within the child's capabilities, and include only activities with limited risk of falling or injury. Swimming is a community-based exercise that is believed to be fun, not to increase pain during exercise and not to increase the risk for injury in youth with CP, [17][18][19] but so far no randomized controlled trial has been published to support this.…”

The ‘Scottish approach’ to policy and policymaking: what issues are territorial and what are universal?

“…CP was historically a niche concern of medical and health professionals, particularly in relation to adults, partly because: there is no cure; the life expectancy and numbers of adults with CP has, in the past been unclear; and there is a belief among many physiotherapists that their effort can be of greater value in treating infants and young children (Bottos et al, 2001, 516;Redmond and Parrish, 2008). Evidence since the 1990s suggests that the survival rate, to age 30, is at least 85 per cent (Ali et al, 2009, 44-5) and that many people with CP can participate strongly in society when 'assisted by legislation, advances in technology and changing attitudes in their society' (Levitt, 2010, 1).…”

Aquatic therapy for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial and mixed-methods process evaluation

“…We found four relevant qualitative research studies on the acceptability of physiotherapy in children with neuromuscular conditions, consisting mainly of inductive thematic analyses. [87][88][89] One study 90 drew on two social science theories. The themes of social model theory, distinguishing impairment from disability and eliminating discrimination and removing barriers to access 91,92 have been incorporated into the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health -Children and Youth version (ICF-CY) 93 (see Modelling process: developing programme theory), which is recommended for understanding context in evaluative studies.…”

“…[87][88][89][90] To understand the conditions necessary to support the introduction and embedding of protocolised AT as a routine element of care, and to support a future evaluation, the health professional interview schedule was based around NPT. 120,[165][166][167] Prompts related to the Theoretical Domains Framework 168 were later added, but insufficient time was available for this additional coding work.…”