Caregiver Experiences of Intervention for Paediatric Feeding Disorder: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to review the literature exploring caregiver experiences of feeding interventions for children with Paediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD).

Four databases were searched to identify studies of children (aged 0-18 years) who had received feeding therapy that included caregiver-reported experiences. Articles were independently screened, and descriptive data extracted using an author-developed form. Data from qualitative studies were analysed using content analysis.

The search generated 1751 records, of which 75 articles were included. A mixture of quantitative (n = 58) and qualitative (n = 29) studies were captured, and clinician-delivered interventions comprised 48% of studies. Quantitative outcomes were largely captured using Likert-scale questionnaires, producing consistently high satisfaction ratings. However, these tools were inconsistently designed, largely author-developed, and results frequently collapsed into a single combined value, limiting meaningful interpretation. In qualitative studies, caregivers described they were the primary drivers of their child's care, emphasising the importance of being recognised as core multidisciplinary team members. As one caregiver noted: "It's been more parent-driven; no one takes ownership of the problems."

The study findings hold implications for future development of caregiver-led PFD treatment, with key recommendations including further qualitative investigation of specific interventions and longitudinal follow up.