Disrupted Access to Therapies and Impact on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Children With Motor Impairment and Their Caregivers. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2021 Sep 01;100(9):821-830
Date
06/07/2021Pubmed ID
34091465Pubmed Central ID
PMC8366513DOI
10.1097/PHM.0000000000001818Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85113645412 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 16 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to rehabilitation therapies and the impact of changes in therapy access on the physical and mental well-being of children with motor impairment and their caregivers.
DESIGN: Caregivers of children younger than 18 yrs with childhood-onset motor impairment (primarily cerebral palsy) completed an anonymous survey through the online platform REDCap between May 5 and July 13, 2020.
RESULTS: The survey was completed by 102 participants. Before the pandemic, 92 of 102 children (90%) were receiving one or more therapies; at the time surveyed, 55 children (54%) were receiving any therapies (P < 0.001). More than 40% of the sample reported increased child stress, decreased physical activity, and/or decline in mobility/movement. Participants who reported a decrease in number of therapies at the time surveyed more frequently reported lower satisfaction with treatment delivery (P < 0.001), a decline in child's mobility (P = 0.001), and increased caregiver stress (P = 0.004). Five qualitative themes were identified from open-ended question responses related to therapies and well-being.
CONCLUSIONS: Access to pediatric rehabilitation therapies was disrupted during COVID-19. Disrupted access may be related to impact on physical and mental health. With the expansion of telehealth, caregiver and child feedback should be incorporated to optimize benefit.
Author List
Sutter EN, Francis LS, Francis SM, Lench DH, Nemanich ST, Krach LE, Sukal-Moulton T, Gillick BTAuthor
Sam Nemanich Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Caregivers
Cerebral Palsy
Child
Continuity of Patient Care
Female
Health Services Accessibility
Humans
Male
Mobility Limitation
Movement Disorders
Qualitative Research
Quarantine
Stress, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires