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Published on: August 9, 2024
Parent and therapist perceptions of an intense model of physical therapy
Jennifer Braswell Christy1, Naja Saleem, Penny H Turner
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, USA. JBraswel@uab.edu
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to determine parent and therapist perceptions regarding the effect of an intense model of physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy.
Methods:
Informants included 5 parents, 5 therapists, and 5 children with cerebral palsy who previously participated in an intense program (ie, strengthening and functional activities 4 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks). Parents and therapists were interviewed, and children were observed. Data were collected and analyzed using qualitative methodology.
Results:
Five common themes emerged, based on perceptions: (1) improvement in motor function, (2) improvement in confidence and independence, (3) stress during the program but a time of no therapy between sessions, (4) increased participation in the community, and (5) fatigue during the program but perceived rapid attainment of goals.
Conclusions:
The constructs identified should be considered by clinicians in program development and by researchers for further study.
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