[Pediatric pulmonary rehabilitation in the light of qualitative research: What statistic cannot show]

Several studies have supported the positive effect of respiratory rehabilitation (RR) in children and adolescents (CRA) with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD); however, qualitative aspects related to the experiences and perceptions about RR have been scarcely studied.

to analyze the qualitative evidence regarding the perceptions and experiences of patients, families and professionals related to the RR of children and adolescents with CKD.

Review of qualitative studies in 5 databases. We used MeSH terms and free English-language terms grouped into three dimensions: patients, intervention, and research design. The study subjects had to be patients, their families, teachers or treating health teams. No restrictions were placed on language or year of publication. The search strategy was configured as follows: ((Cystic fibrosis) OR (Asthma) OR (Neuromuscular diseases)) AND ((Respiratory rehabilitation) OR (Exercise)) AND ((Qualitative research) OR (Phenomenology) OR (Grounded theory) OR (Ethnography)). Two independent authors analyzed atingent titles, abstracts and long texts. Finally, a qualitative description of the results was made.

Twenty-one qualitative studies were selected, all on patients, family members, teachers or professionals treating patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), asthma or neuromuscular diseases (NMD). Perception of benefits, parental influence, enjoyment of the protocols, and time required to engage in physical activity were categories identified in all three groups. Aspects such as perceived safety on school grounds and parental stress were specific categories, highlighted in the context of asthma and CF respectively.

Several general and specific factors of a qualitative nature influence the experience of children with CRD during RR. Future studies conducted in our cultural context should be conducted to confirm these results.