Beliefs about sport/physical activity and physiotherapy programmes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring beliefs about sport/physical activity in relation to paediatric physiotherapy exercise programmes
IRAS ID
188090
Contact name
Susan Booth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, days
Research summary
Exploring the beliefs of disabled children/young people and their care givers about sport/physical activity in relation to paediatric physiotherapy exercise programmes, with particular focus on their previous personal experiences of adherence and integration.
(A qualitative study using the interpretative phenomenological approach -IPA)The background to this research is that exercise programmes are an increasingly important element of the provision offered by Paediatric Physiotherapists to disabled children/young people, and in some cases form the only element. This has coincided with a drive to increase patient self-management, management by third parties (school staff, carers), pressure on NHS resources/cost savings and service re-configurement resulting in vastly increased physiotherapeutic caseloads. The decreased frequency of appointments, ‘distanced’ relationships between therapists/patients and a ‘hands off’ approach has the concerning potential to reduce programme adherence.
Participants are up to 6 disabled children/young people and their care givers, who are known to the Paediatric Physiotherapy Service of the researcher, and identified by other clinicians within that service. They are then invited to take part by letter, which includes a patient information sheet and consent form (adult and child versions)and partake in semi-structured interviews, lasting up to one hour at home or on Trust premises, which are taped and transcribed.
The research question is relevant to participants, since paediatric exercise programmes are a cornerstone of current service delivery and patient views can help shape future input. It is important to assess the possible drivers of adherent and sustainable behaviour in respect of these programmes, as well as deepening our understanding of how/where sports and physical activity can influence this process.
The outcome is to suggest possible effectiveness improvements in the area of adherence/integration and paediatric physiotherapy practice/delivery with possible favourable impact on service resources.
All funding is provided by the researcher, with some postage costs and minimal administrative support provided by the sponsoring Trust.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
15/NI/0186
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion