Anderson E1, Moore A1, Hunter S1
1Keele University, School of Health and Rehabilitation, Keele, United Kingdom
Background: Rehabilitation for children with Cerebral Palsy improves physical activity and manages longer-term decline; additional engagement in group sport as part of rehabilitation can improve confidence and resilience and decrease dependence; rehabilitation is therefore critical for ongoing benefits and enjoyment of physical activity, enhancing opportunity and quality of life into adulthood.
Purpose: To investigate benefits of team sport for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Primary objective: to explore parents' experiences and perceived benefits of CP children engaging in team football. Secondary objective: to gain insights into which aspects of the activity were particularly beneficial, for translation into rehabilitation and clinical practice.
Methods: A focus group was conducted with a convenience sample of parents of children with CP who regularly attended a local CP football group. A phenomenological approach explored participants' lived experiences, using semi-structured questions and prompts to aid discussion. This allowed experiences to be shared openly, enabling discussion and topics to be varied and true to the group. Data was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. To increase rigour, two researchers independently coded and identified themes, which matured and were subsequently agreed following further analysis and discussion with the research supervisor.
Results: Group participants: 3 parents of boys aged from 4-9 years who had attended the CP football group for between 1-12 months; one child used a walking aid. Parents' experiences and opinions of team sport within a specialist environment were overwhelmingly positive, but they recounted many negative experiences and raised concerns about attitudes within mainstream environments. A general lack of facilities and opportunities for CP children to engage in sports was a concern for parents. Four higher-order themes were identified, along with sub-themes:
Key themes were intrinsically linked to the environment and inclusive culture of the CP specific group, which had positive physical and psychosocial outcomes for the child. Compliance with formal physiotherapy exercises, such as stretching and muscle strengthening, frequently a challenge for children with CP, was not an issue when the children were training in the football team.
Conclusion(s): Opportunity for children with CP to engage in team sport was highly valued, and considered to benefit the child both physically as well as personally, increasing independence, sense of inclusion and acceptance, and enjoyment of physical activity. Children who are more active and enjoy physical activity are less likely to depend on formal physiotherapy, and likely to engage in more activity; this in turn may prevent long-term physical decline, and psychologically build resilience and increase self-esteem.
Implications: The project showed that team sport was viewed as positive and beneficial; however, there is often a lack of opportunity for children with CP to participate. Results could be translated into group-based physiotherapy sessions, adopting a team-based and inclusive approach. Awareness and signposting about opportunities for children with CP needs to be improved and provided to parents.
Keywords: Confidence, Resilience, Independence
Funding acknowledgements: This Project was unfunded.
Purpose: To investigate benefits of team sport for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Primary objective: to explore parents' experiences and perceived benefits of CP children engaging in team football. Secondary objective: to gain insights into which aspects of the activity were particularly beneficial, for translation into rehabilitation and clinical practice.
Methods: A focus group was conducted with a convenience sample of parents of children with CP who regularly attended a local CP football group. A phenomenological approach explored participants' lived experiences, using semi-structured questions and prompts to aid discussion. This allowed experiences to be shared openly, enabling discussion and topics to be varied and true to the group. Data was audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. To increase rigour, two researchers independently coded and identified themes, which matured and were subsequently agreed following further analysis and discussion with the research supervisor.
Results: Group participants: 3 parents of boys aged from 4-9 years who had attended the CP football group for between 1-12 months; one child used a walking aid. Parents' experiences and opinions of team sport within a specialist environment were overwhelmingly positive, but they recounted many negative experiences and raised concerns about attitudes within mainstream environments. A general lack of facilities and opportunities for CP children to engage in sports was a concern for parents. Four higher-order themes were identified, along with sub-themes:
- Living with a disability: Challenges to overcome, Being different.
- Safe Environment: Support for parents, Positive and enabling attitudes, Inclusivity.
- Personal development of the child: Being normal, Social development.
- Physical activity: Enjoyment, Physical benefits.
Key themes were intrinsically linked to the environment and inclusive culture of the CP specific group, which had positive physical and psychosocial outcomes for the child. Compliance with formal physiotherapy exercises, such as stretching and muscle strengthening, frequently a challenge for children with CP, was not an issue when the children were training in the football team.
Conclusion(s): Opportunity for children with CP to engage in team sport was highly valued, and considered to benefit the child both physically as well as personally, increasing independence, sense of inclusion and acceptance, and enjoyment of physical activity. Children who are more active and enjoy physical activity are less likely to depend on formal physiotherapy, and likely to engage in more activity; this in turn may prevent long-term physical decline, and psychologically build resilience and increase self-esteem.
Implications: The project showed that team sport was viewed as positive and beneficial; however, there is often a lack of opportunity for children with CP to participate. Results could be translated into group-based physiotherapy sessions, adopting a team-based and inclusive approach. Awareness and signposting about opportunities for children with CP needs to be improved and provided to parents.
Keywords: Confidence, Resilience, Independence
Funding acknowledgements: This Project was unfunded.
Topic: Paediatrics: cerebral palsy; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Keele University
Ethics committee: School of Health and Rehabilitation Student Projects Ethics Committee
Ethics number: 2017/18_SHAR_CA_044
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
