Sedentary behavior and children with physical disabilities: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Sedentary behavior is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
• Children with physical disabilities may be at higher risk for prolonged sedentary time.
• Understanding sedentary behavior patterns and effective interventions is crucial for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize existing research on sedentary behavior patterns in children with physical disabilities.
• To review methods used for measuring sedentary behavior in this population.
• To assess the current evidence for interventions aimed at reducing sedentary behavior.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• Included studies focused on participants aged 0-18 years with physical disabilities.
• Research areas covered sedentary behavior patterns, measurement, and intervention effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Most studies were observational, describing sedentary behavior patterns, particularly in children with cerebral palsy.
• Accelerometry was common for ambulatory children, alongside other measurement tools.
• Evidence supporting the effectiveness of interventions to decrease sedentary behavior in children with physical disabilities is currently lacking.

Conclusions:

• There is a need for robust evaluation of interventions to reduce sedentary behavior in children with physical disabilities.
• Future research should focus on non-ambulatory children and those using wheelchairs.
• Standardized measurement protocols, like accelerometry, and consideration of sedentary bout duration are recommended.