Taiane Do Socorro Silva Natividade
Federal University of Para, Brazil
Title: Cerebral palsy: The caregiver’s point of view about physiotherapy in children
Biography
Biography: Taiane Do Socorro Silva Natividade
Abstract
Background: Cerebral palsy is described as a group of movement and posture disorders as a result of non-progressive lesions, which occur in the still maturing nervous system. It is also called childhood chronic non-progressive encephalopathy, being a health condition that results in changes of the structure and function of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Several studies have already stated that caregivers approve services and therapists who can talk clearly and explain what they are doing during therapy. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the overall knowledge of the caregiver regarding cerebral palsy (CP) and aspects of the physiotherapeutic treatment used in children with CP. Methods: For this, a qualitative study was conducted at the Bettina Ferro de Souza University Hospital (HUBFS) of the Federal University of Para, Brazil. The data collection method chosen was the semi-structured interview, due to this methodology five caregivers of children (maximum of thirteen years) diagnosed with cerebral palsy; who had regularly performed physiotherapy in the department for at least three months were included in the study interviewed. The questions explored the caregiver’s knowledge about the disease and the role of physiotherapy in cerebral palsy with a total of five questions. The interviews were recorded and later transcribed. The data analysis was performed through contents analysis. The results obtained from the interviews were organized and discussed according to the order of the questions asked in the study with the statements of the caregivers categorized and grouped according to theme. Results: Even though caregivers observe great improve regarding motor function, the low level of knowledge of caregivers about the disease and its physiotherapeutic treatment can be observed in the results, which can compromise the treatment and the evolution of the children, given that continuous treatment is required in this condition for improving quality of life of children with CP. Conclusion: As a conclusion, caregivers expressed satisfaction about the service, however more professional caregiver patient learning and teaching interaction is necessary to increase the caregiver’s knowledge of the disease and physiotherapeutic treatment.