Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Adapted Resistance Training Improves Strength in Eight Weeks in Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: January 29, 2016
Exploring experiences of parents of young children with cerebral palsy with a standing frame program promoting hip
Dorine A van Bentum-Schouwink1, Jan J W van der Burg1,2, Katya A M Ceelen3
1Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Insights
Implementing a standing frame program (SFP) for children with cerebral palsy (CP) presents challenges for parents, requiring support and integration into daily routines. Parental motivation stems from perceived child benefits and quality time, but program feasibility depends on caregiver collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Developmental pediatrics
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face increased risk of hip problems.
- Early monitoring and intervention are crucial for managing hip development in young children with CP.
- Standing frame programs (SFPs) are utilized to promote hip health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parents' experiences with a standing frame program (SFP) for young children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To identify factors that facilitate or hinder the feasibility of implementing SFPs.
- To understand parental perspectives on the SFP's role in hip development and daily life.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative data collection through 11 transcribed interviews analyzed thematically.
- Quantitative data collection via agreement ratings on SFP-related statements.
- Thematic analysis to identify key experiences and influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Parents experience significant physical and mental load, balancing caregiving and therapeutic roles.
- Facilitators for SFP implementation include social support, shared caregiving, and integration into various settings.
- Parental motivation is driven by perceived child benefits and opportunities for quality time.
Conclusions:
- SFP implementation is challenging for parents, necessitating consideration of their needs and collaborative approaches with all caregivers.
- Further research is needed to establish the SFP's impact on hip development and parental burden.
- Incorporating the perspectives of parents experiencing burden is vital for program development and evaluation.
Purpose:
Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are at risk for hip problems, and early monitoring and intervention are recommended. This study explores the experiences of parents of young children with CP with a standing frame program (SFP) promoting hip development and identifies factors promoting or hindering the program's feasibility.
Methods:
Qualitative data were collected through 11 interviews, which were transcribed, and analyzed thematically. Quantitative data were collected through ratings of the level of agreement with statements related to the SFP.
Results:
For parents, balancing between their roles as parent and co-therapist, implementing the SFP involved physical and mental load. Involving the social environment, sharing care responsibilities, and integrating the SFP in different settings facilitated implementation of the program. Parents were motivated by potential benefits for their child and the opportunity for quality time.
Conclusions:
Implementing the SFP is challenging for parents. For better integration of the SFP program into daily life, it is important to consider parents' needs and to collaborate with all caregivers. Future research should strengthen evidence on the SFP's impact on hip development and parental burden. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that the perspectives of burdened parents are incorporated in the program's development and evaluation.
