Enhancing physical activity participation amongst children with physical disabilities

Abstract

Problem statement: Insufficient physical activity participation is a current global health concern. As positive childhood experiences of physical activity are associated with continued participation through adulthood; interventions should follow a life course approach that starts from early childhood. Locally only 24.7% of children aged 10-11 follow the WHO recommendations on physical activity and this is expected to be less in children with physical disabilities when compared to children without disability. Nature of the study: This study set out to explore the rehabilitative interventions that influence the physical activity participation amongst children with physical disabilities and hence, to evaluate ways of how paediatric physiotherapy can enhance physical activity participation amongst this group. Methodology and Methods: A systematic review identified the current recommended physiotherapeutic interventions, aimed at increasing physical activity participation amongst children with physical disabilities. This was followed by a qualitative examination of the implementation process of the identified evidence. A case study was conducted at a paediatric neurological out-patients’ physiotherapy department with the purpose to understand the knowledge of different stakeholders towards the introduction of evidencebased interventions within the requirements of the healthcare system in which they are to be implemented. Findings and implications: Five main interventional approaches being web-based, behaviour modification, physiotherapist led community-based, adapted exercise programmes and intensive block physiotherapy sessions were identified. A combination of components from each interventional approach was perceived as the way forward to enhance physical activity participation amongst children with physical disabilities. Conclusions: The overall reflection is that the better way within the paediatric physiotherapy programme for enhancing physical activity participation amongst children with physical disabilities is a multi-interventional approach that incorporates a behavioural modification intervention. The knowledge gained from this study sets the stage for an informed implementation of the research-based physiotherapy interventions where the users and providers came together within the unique characteristics of the service setting.