This study explores parents' perception of the physical function and social well-being of children with cerebral palsy (CP) who receive conventional physiotherapy. This study also aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers to receiving conventional physiotherapy.
Participants were recruited via purposive sampling from the Children’s Specialist Hospital, UKM and Physiotherapy Clinic, Faculty of Physiotherapy, UKM. The potential participants were screened for eligibility from the hospital and physiotherapy clinic database. Participants were parents of children with CP between 6-18 years old who have been receiving conventional physiotherapy and living with their children since early therapy sessions. A one-on-one semi-structured in-depth interview using the phenomenology method was conducted with 16 parents of children with CP. The interview questions for the physical function and social well-being domain were adapted from the KIDSCREEN-27 Questionnaire (parent version) and CPQOL-child (primary caregiver version). These questions were modified into an open-ended question. The questions asked during the interview were about the perceived benefits, barriers and facilitators of receiving conventional physiotherapy for their children. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed thematically comprised of six stages to generate significant themes.
The majority of the participants were female (n=14). Participants in this study were mainly parents with tertiary education. This study reported the emergence of six main themes with 16 sub-themes. The main themes were: 1) physical function progression, 2) social progression, 3) the child's internal barrier, 4) external barrier, 5) quality of intervention and 6) expectations for self-independence. Improvement of physical function characterized by increased engagement and performance of functional activity as the most mentioned physical components reported in this study.
Parental commitments to therapy, such as time, finances, and distance, were pointed out as the primary barrier perceived by parents to participate in the therapy session. In contrast, the qualities of the therapist and therapy were reported as the facilitator perceived by parents.
Parents’ perspectives on benefits, barriers and facilitators of conventional physiotherapy should be considered by clinicians for improving treatment strategies such as tailored to the individual needs of children with CP. Addressing barriers by providing flexible appointment scheduling and recommendations for government & non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to alleviate financial burdens.
parents
physiotherapy
