Premium
‘What if it were like this?’ Perception of mothers of children with cerebral palsy about the ankle‐foot orthosis of their children: A qualitative study
Author(s) -
Ribeiro Volpini Lana Mariana,
Pimenta Maia Joana,
Horta Anderson Antônio,
Teixeira da Fonseca Sérgio,
Guimarães Assis Marcella
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/cch.12840
Subject(s) - cerebral palsy , thematic analysis , competence (human resources) , perception , psychology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gross motor function classification system , qualitative research , physical therapy , rehabilitation , developmental psychology , medicine , social psychology , social science , neuroscience , sociology
Background The family‐centred approach is fundamental in the therapeutic process of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and the increased competence of parents about therapeutic devices, especially orthoses, can facilitate its implementation, thus intensifying the benefits that this device provides. The aim of this study was to understand the perception of mothers of children with CP in relation to their children's ankle‐foot orthosis. Methods This is a qualitative study using thematic content analysis technique. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews from 24 mothers of children with Levels IV and V of CP according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), who were attended at a philanthropic rehabilitation centre. Results Three categories were identified from analyzing the interviews: benefits of the orthosis, the orthosis in the child's daily life and ‘What if it were like this?’ Conclusions According to the mothers' perceptions, the ankle‐foot orthosis improved their child's mobility. The orthoses are used in different contexts in the child's daily life, and the mothers pointed out suggestions regarding personalizing the orthosis with different colors and patterns, increasing comfort and facilitating the way in which the device is placed.