Disrupted Access to Therapies and Impact on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Children With Motor Impairment and Their Caregivers

Abstract

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The impact of COVID-19 on the lifestyles of adolescents with cerebral palsy in the Southeast United States

“…Nearly half of the sample reported decreased exercise participation, which was similar to that reported among children with cerebral palsy in the Midwest U.S. 19 This is an alarming finding because adolescents with cerebral palsy have been found to participate in far lower levels of health-enhancing exercise compared to adolescents without cerebral palsy prior to the pandemic. 16 , 33 As a result of rapid deconditioning, exercise levels have likely reached new lows with concomitant declines in health and physical function as a result of rapid deconditioning.…”

“…10 In the Midwest U.S., a study including 102 children with motor impairment reported a 36% reduction in receiving therapies, as well as a substantial proportion of children who reported increased mental stress. 19 The present study added to this knowledge by providing a more in-depth evaluation of COVID-19 affected lifestyle behaviors. Further research is necessary to explain reductions in mental health and physical activity behavior and, most importantly, how to improve these issues among adolescents with cerebral palsy in the post COVID-19 era.…”

“…One study of a cohort of children with motor impairment (n=102) in the Midwest region of the U.S. reported decreased physical activity and functional mobility and increased child and caregiver stress. 19 To the best of our knowledge, no peer-reviewed publication has documented the impact of COVID-19 among children with cerebral palsy within the Southeast U.S.…”

Use of Frame Running for Adolescent Athletes With Movement Challenges: Study of Feasibility to Support Health and Participation

“…Missed practices appeared to be at least partially attributable to pandemic related precautions and circumstances such as exposure to someone infected with COVID-19. In addition, following a pause in certain medical care for the year prior (Sutter et al, 2021 ) families may have been catching up on medical appointments for routine care such as eye exams or physiatry visits. Children with movement challenges have higher healthcare needs in general, and future expectations for attendance may need to take some of these factors into consideration.…”

The Effects of an Online–Offline Hybrid Exercise Program on the Lives of Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Wheelchairs during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Korea

“…Such protective measures and restrictions have directly affected community-based services that children with disabilities often rely on, for example, health care systems, disability services, institutional environments, and schools [ 4 ]. People with disabilities and their families may be disproportionately affected by disrupted access to health care and community support services in these extreme circumstances, resulting in increased stress and anxiety and decreased outdoor and physical activity [ 5 , 6 ]. The suffering and stress might be even higher for children with severe disabilities, such as children with cerebral palsy (CP) or children relying mainly on wheelchairs for their mobility, in pandemic situations because it is almost impossible for them to ambulate outside independently and because they are more likely to experience access limitations [ 7 , 8 ].…”