Research Article: Long-term use of an assistive exercise product in young people with cerebral palsy who are non-ambulant is a balancing act—a phenomenographic study
Abstract:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children should be physically active, including exercise, for 60?min a day, and limit sedentary behaviour across the week regardless of physical disabilities. Children with cerebral palsy who are non-ambulant (CP-NA), with Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded & Revised IV to V, are known to be sedentary up to 92% of the time they spend awake and are dependent on assistive technology and assistive exercise products (AEP), such as the Innowalk. The aim of this study is therefore to explore the family and professional caregivers’ perceptions of the long-term use of the AEP after three to five years of use.
An inductive phenomenographic design was used, with the aim of describing and understanding variations in how individuals perceive a phenomenon; i.e., what something is and how something is perceived. 11 family caregivers and one professional caregiver to 11 young people (11–24 years) with CP-NA were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide, after having used the AEP for three to five years. The analysis of the interviews followed the iterative steps of phenomenographic design.
Long-term use of the AEP was described by caregivers as a life-long project involving balancing between maintaining control and aspects that were beyond their control in everyday life to provide physical activity and exercise in the AEP. When the caregiver managed to reach such a balance, and were able to provide physical activity and exercise in the AEP, it was experienced as rewarding, creating a feeling of meaningfulness.
Long-term use of the AEP requires substantial caregiver coordination and support from surrounding services. When such support is available, the AEP may contribute to meaningfulness and improved quality of life for both the young person and their caregivers.
Introduction:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children should be physically active, including exercise, for 60?min a day, and limit sedentary behaviour across the week regardless of physical disabilities. Children with cerebral palsy who are non-ambulant (CP-NA), with Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded & Revised IV to V, are known to be sedentary up to 92% of the time they spend awake and are dependent on assistive technology and assistive exercise products (AEP), such as the Innowalk. The…
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