PLAY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Perspectives of walking aid users, their carers and therapists on designing walkers that encourage children with neurodisabilities to be more physically active.
IRAS ID
221393
Contact name
Marilyn Poole
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Team
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 18 days
Research summary
Title: Perspectives of walking aid users, their carers and therapists on designing walkers that encourage children with neurodisabilities to be more physically active.
Background: Finding strategies to improve engagement in physical activity is a priority area for research involving children with neurodisabilities. Instrumentation can be added to children’s walking aids that collects information that could be used to set goals and earn rewards, encouraging them to walk further, more often, or with better quality of movement. Involving walking aid users, their families and physiotherapists in the development of this equipment will ensure it is designed to suit their needs.
Aims:
To discuss walking aid use with children with neurodisabilities, their families and therapists, including experiences of participation in educational, sport and leisure activities and reasoning behind selection and adjustment of walking aids.To seek the opinions of participants on how to improve walking aids to increase physical activity levels.
Design:
A qualitative approach using focus groups, which can be an efective method for involving children in research. It is anticipated that interactions between participants will help with generating ideas. In planning this study, we consulted with children with disabilities and their parents to ensure that the topic and execution of the research was acceptable to potential participants.Participants:
Walking aid users aged 7-13 years with neurodisabilities, carers of walking aid users and physiotherapists who prescribe walkers.Methods:
Recruitment via one NHS Trust, frame football teams and the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists. Four focus groups with 6-10 participants each, lasting 60-90 minutes will be held at frame football clubs and health centres. One group will be held with each of the following: a) children aged 7-10, b) children aged 11-13, c) their carers and d) physiotherapists. Transcribed audio recordings will be analysed using framework analysis.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0140
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion