Well-being, health and fitness of children who use wheelchairs: feasibility study protocol to develop child-centred 'keep-fit' exercise interventions

J Adv Nurs. 2015 Feb;71(2):430-40. doi: 10.1111/jan.12482. Epub 2014 Jul 29.

Abstract

Aim: To undertake the pre-clinical and modelling phases of the Medical Research Council complex intervention framework to underpin development of child-centred 'keep-fit', exercise and physical activity interventions for children and young people who use wheelchairs.

Background: Children who use wheelchairs face many barriers to participation in physical activity, which compromises fitness, obesity, well-being and health. 'Keep-fit' programmes that are child-centred and engaging are urgently required to enhance participation of disabled children and their families as part of a healthy lifestyle. Nurses will likely be important in promoting and monitoring 'keep-fit' intervention(s) when implemented in the community.

Design: Mixed-method (including economic analysis) feasibility study to capture child and family preferences and keep-fit needs and to determine outcome measures for a 'keep-fit' intervention.

Methods: The study comprises three stages. Stage 1 includes a mixed-method systematic review of effectiveness, cost effectiveness and key stakeholder views and experiences of keep-fit interventions, followed by qualitative interviews with children, young people and their parents to explore preferences and motivations for physical activity. Stage 2 will identify standardized outcome measures and test their application with children who use wheelchairs to obtain baseline fitness data. Options for an exercise-based keep-fit intervention will then be designed based on Stage 1 and 2 findings. In stage 3, we will present intervention options for feedback and further refinement to children and parents/carers in focus groups. (Project funded October 2012).

Discussion: At completion, this study will lead to the design of the intervention and a protocol to test its efficacy.

Keywords: children; feasibility; fitness; mobility; nurses; obesity; physical activity; well-being; wheelchair; young people.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attitude to Health
  • Body Composition
  • Child
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Disabled Children
  • Eating / physiology
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Exercise Therapy / economics
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Physical Fitness
  • Quality of Life
  • Spirometry
  • Wheelchairs*