Prevalence and incidence of chronic conditions among adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Identifying the top 10 priorities of adolescents with a physical disability regarding participation in physical activity: A Delphi study

AIM

To establish consensus among adolescents with a physical disability regarding their priorities for enhancing participation in physical activity and help inform the design of future interventions for participation in physical activity.

METHOD

We conducted a national multi-round Delphi study involving adolescents with a physical disability aged 13 to 17 years. Round 1 of the initial survey consisted of open-ended questions. Free-text responses were then analysed thematically, creating items categorized according to the family of participation-related constructs (fPRC). In round 2, participants rated the perceived importance of these items using a 5-point Likert scale. The top 10 priorities were constructed from the highest-ranked items.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixteen participants (mean age = 14 years 7 months, range = 13-17 years; 66 males; 58 with cerebral palsy; 43 wheelchair users) completed round 1; 108 items were included in round 2. Fifty-eight items were rated as either 'important' or 'really important' by 70% of participants. The top 10 priorities were rated as important or really important by 82% to 94% of participants with a mean Likert score of 4.40 (range = 4.25-4.63). Seven of the top 10 priorities were related to the environmental context of the fPRC. The other three were related to involvement and the related concept of preference.

INTERPRETATION

The priorities identified will help inform future physical activity interventions for adolescents with a physical disability.

Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Navigating the Complexities of Aging

The goal of this narrative review is to highlight the healthcare challenges faced by adults with cerebral palsy, including the management of long-term motor deficits, difficulty finding clinicians with expertise in these long-term impairments, and scarcity of rehabilitation options. Additionally, this narrative review seeks to examine potential methods for maintaining functional independence, promoting social integration, and community participation. Although the brain lesion that causes the movement disorder is non-progressive, the neurodevelopmental disorder worsens from secondary complications of existing sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Therefore, maintaining the continuum of care across one's lifespan is of utmost importance. Advancements in healthcare services over the past decade have resulted in lower mortality rates and increased the average life expectancy of people with cerebral palsy. However, once they transition from adolescence to adulthood, limited federal and community resources, and health care professionals' lack of expertise present significant obstacles to achieving quality healthcare and long-term benefits. This paper highlights the common impairments seen in adults with cerebral palsy. Additionally, it underscores the critical role of long-term healthcare and management to prevent functional decline and enhance quality of life across physical, cognitive, and social domains.