Using a behavior change toolkit in pediatric physical therapy to support physical activity: A feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric physical therapy
• Behavior change interventions
• Child disability research

Background:

• Children with disabilities exhibit low physical activity levels due to personal and environmental barriers.
• Behavior change techniques (BCTs) are crucial for addressing these barriers in pediatric physical therapy.
• The What Moves You?! intervention Toolkit (WMY Toolkit) was developed to integrate BCTs into practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of implementing the WMY Toolkit in routine pediatric physical therapy.
• To assess the acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality of the WMY Toolkit.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative feasibility study involving 11 pediatric physical therapists.
• Therapists received one-day training and used the WMY Toolkit for 9 weeks with children with disabilities.
• Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic and framework analyses.

Main Results:

• The WMY Toolkit was found acceptable, facilitating creative and playful conversations about physical activity.
• It supported intended working mechanisms like problem-solving and self-efficacy, and showed demand across various physical activity goals.
• Therapists highlighted the need for adequate education for confident implementation and suggested improvements for toolkit materials.

Conclusions:

• The WMY Toolkit is a promising and innovative resource for integrating BCTs into pediatric physical therapy.
• It offers a structured yet adaptable approach to enhance physical activity in children with disabilities.