PAEDIATRIC PHYSIOTHERAPY: PROMOTING HEALTH LITERACY, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND PARTICIPATION
M. O'Neil1, M. Bloemen2, A. Kinnunen3, H.-F. Liao4
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
1Columbia University, Rehab and Regenerative Medicine, Programs in Physical Therapy, New York, United States, 2Utrecht University - HU University of Applied Sciences, Hogeschool, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3Savonia University of Applied Sciences, Social and Health Care Education, Kuopio, Finland, 4National Taiwan University, School of Physical Therapy, Taipei, Taiwan
Learning objective 1: Evaluate the complexity and identify the opportunities to increase participation and health literacy in physical activity across the lifespan of children with disabilities.
Learning objective 2: Integrate behavioral change techniques in paediatric physiotherapy to inform paradigm shifts in practice approaches.
Learning objective 3: Recognize the importance of environmental factors and utilize community support for enhancing physical activity in children with disabilities.
Description: Two crucial initiatives frame this presentation: 1) WHO Rehabilitation 2030 which states that rehabilitation should beavailable for all populations through all stages of the life course1and 2) the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals which include ensuring healthy lives and wellbeing for all people of all ages.2Paediatric physiotherapists are movement system experts and are well positioned to implement these initiatives by improving the health status and functional mobility of children with or at risk for disabilities throughout the lifespan. Paediatric physiotherapists provide developmentally appropriate interventions to promote health literacy, increase physical activity, and enhance participation.3-5A primary goal of paediatric physiotherapy is to improve activity and participation to promote inclusion and health equity for children with or at risk for disabilities.
Presenters in this symposium will share evidence to inform health-focused, activity-based interventions, and physical activity and participation outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.6-8The unique and changing roles of paediatric physiotherapists are presented in the context of service provision across a child’s life course in different settings, global regions, cultures, and groups.
Children with disabilities have decreased physical activity and participation due to their diagnoses and secondary conditions. They are at high risk for health comorbidities and decreased health related quality of life. Integrating behavior change techniques in paediatric physiotherapy practice, in addition to physical fitness and motor development training, is essential to truly support children and their families to engage in healthy, active lives. Physiotherapists can use participation-based research to inform a paradigm shift in practice approaches and efficient strategies in promoting child-family interactions and creating active communities.6
Interprofessional collaborations and new roles for physiotherapists are presented as key factors and strategies in promotingphysical activity and participation across settings where children receive physiotherapy services.7Participation-based approaches are highlighted as strategies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for children with disabilities and their families.8
Environmental factors are important considerations in participation–based approaches in paediatric physiotherapy. The Functioning Scale of the Disability Evaluation System-Child version (FUNDES-Child)8 is an ICF-based measure (e.g., body structure/function, activity and participation and environmental factors) in the Disability Eligibility Determination System for children aged 6–18 years in Taiwan. The Taiwan FUNDES-Child database is used to illustrate relationships between the frequency of mobility participation and three environmental factors; 1) family/community resources; 2) assistance/attitude supports; and 3) physical design access. The effectiveness of an adaptive baseball program to enhance mobility participation and increase physical activity in children with disabilities by utilizing community supports as environmental facilitators is highlighted as an example of mobility participation.8
This symposium encourages networking and discussion among participants to explore ideas, inspire innovative interventions, and facilitate collaboration among paediatric physiotherapist clinicians and researchers. A goal of this presentation is to challenge participants to consider a variety of paediatric research and clinical topics to address the broad needs of children with disabilities and their families and foster global impact to advance our profession.
Target audience24 words
This presentation is meant for physiotherapy researchers, clinicians, and academics working with children or adolescents, or those interested more generally in physical activity.
Summary of the session focus and structure including plans for audience interaction119 words
Session introduction by chair (5-minutes) with audience polling.Presenters give 12-minute presentations with 3-minute discussion.
Presenters in this symposium will share evidence to inform health-focused, activity-based interventions, and physical activity and participation outcomes for children with disabilities and their families.6-8The unique and changing roles of paediatric physiotherapists are presented in the context of service provision across a child’s life course in different settings, global regions, cultures, and groups.
Children with disabilities have decreased physical activity and participation due to their diagnoses and secondary conditions. They are at high risk for health comorbidities and decreased health related quality of life. Integrating behavior change techniques in paediatric physiotherapy practice, in addition to physical fitness and motor development training, is essential to truly support children and their families to engage in healthy, active lives. Physiotherapists can use participation-based research to inform a paradigm shift in practice approaches and efficient strategies in promoting child-family interactions and creating active communities.6
Interprofessional collaborations and new roles for physiotherapists are presented as key factors and strategies in promotingphysical activity and participation across settings where children receive physiotherapy services.7Participation-based approaches are highlighted as strategies to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion for children with disabilities and their families.8
Environmental factors are important considerations in participation–based approaches in paediatric physiotherapy. The Functioning Scale of the Disability Evaluation System-Child version (FUNDES-Child)8 is an ICF-based measure (e.g., body structure/function, activity and participation and environmental factors) in the Disability Eligibility Determination System for children aged 6–18 years in Taiwan. The Taiwan FUNDES-Child database is used to illustrate relationships between the frequency of mobility participation and three environmental factors; 1) family/community resources; 2) assistance/attitude supports; and 3) physical design access. The effectiveness of an adaptive baseball program to enhance mobility participation and increase physical activity in children with disabilities by utilizing community supports as environmental facilitators is highlighted as an example of mobility participation.8
This symposium encourages networking and discussion among participants to explore ideas, inspire innovative interventions, and facilitate collaboration among paediatric physiotherapist clinicians and researchers. A goal of this presentation is to challenge participants to consider a variety of paediatric research and clinical topics to address the broad needs of children with disabilities and their families and foster global impact to advance our profession.
Target audience24 words
This presentation is meant for physiotherapy researchers, clinicians, and academics working with children or adolescents, or those interested more generally in physical activity.
Summary of the session focus and structure including plans for audience interaction119 words
Session introduction by chair (5-minutes) with audience polling.Presenters give 12-minute presentations with 3-minute discussion.
- #1: Dr. Bloemen will define physical activity in children with disabilities and provide strategies for child-family interactions and active communities. She will discuss participatory research and physiotherapist roles as coaches.6
- #2: Dr. Kinnunen will discuss construction of collaborations to enhance participation and healthy habits; describe physical activity interventions and measures.7
- #3: Associate professor Liao will present the relationship between environmental factors and mobility participation of children with cerebral palsy from the national FUNDES-Child database and share an intervention program utilizing community support to enhance physical activity of children with disabilities.8
References:
- United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal3 (accessed 04/07/2022)
- World Health Organization Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative https://www.who.int/initiatives/rehabilitation-2030 (accessed 04/07/2022)
- Rowland, J.L., Fragala-Pinkham, M., Miles, C. and O'Neil, M.E., 2015. The scope of pediatric physical therapy practice in health promotion and fitness for youth with disabilities.Pediatric Physical Therapy,27(1), pp.2-15.
- Lawrence, P.R., Feinberg, I. and Spratling, R., 2021. The relationship of parental health literacy to health outcomes of children with medical complexity.Journal of Pediatric Nursing,60, pp.65-70.
- Sharif, I. and Blank, A.E., 2010. Relationship between child health literacy and body mass index in overweight children.Patient Education and Counseling,79(1), pp.43-48.
- Bolster EAM, Gessel Cv, Welten M, Hermsen S, Lugt Rvd, Kotte E, Essen Av and Bloemen MAT. 2021. Using a co-design approach to create tools to facilitate physical activity in children with physical disabilities. Front. Rehabilit. Sci. 2, 707612.
- Kinnunen, A., Jeglinsky, I., Vänskä, N., Lehtonen, K., Sipari, S. 2021. The importance of collaboration in pediatric rehabilitation for the construction of participation: The views of parents and professionals. Disabilities. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities1040032.
- Hwang AW, Yen CF, Liao HF, Chi WC, Liou TH, Chang BS, Wu TF, Lin-Ju Kang, Lu SJ, Simeonsson RJ, Wang TH, and Bedell G. 2020. Structural validity of an ICF-based measure of activity and participations for children in Taiwan’s disability eligibility determination system. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health17, 6134.
Funding acknowledgements: Ministry of Health and Welfare/Taipei, Taiwan (M1006158)
Foundation Innovation Alliance – Regional Attention and Action for Knowledge circulation SIA RAAK.MKB08.006
Foundation Innovation Alliance – Regional Attention and Action for Knowledge circulation SIA RAAK.MKB08.006
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
