An examination of the factors affecting compliance of parents of children with cerebral palsy to home program: a scale development study

Abstract

Purpose: Home program is a set of recommendations to be implemented outside of treatment sessions given to parents by physiotherapists. This study aimed to develop a scale to determine parents' compliance and effectiveness of home programs. Methods: In order to develop the scale, 48 items were identified as a result of clinical experience and opinions of experts in pediatric rehabilitation, open interviews with parents, and literature review. The items were reduced to 28 items based on the views of four pediatric neurologists and seven physiotherapists with at least five years of clinical experience in the field. Parents of 155 children with cerebral palsy (CP) were administered and validity and reliability analyses were performed. Gross Motor Classification System, Manuel Ability Classification System, Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System, and Communication Function Classification System levels were determined. Parents' anxiety and depression levels were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory, and Children's quality of life was determined using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument. Results: Test-retest value of the developed scale was found to be ICC=0.939, and internal consistency was Cronbach's alpha coefficient=0.659. It was found that individuals with CP with a Gross Motor Function Classification System level V had higher compliance with the home program (p=0.020). Conclusion: The validity and reliability of “Questionnaire of Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy Compliance on Physiotherapy Home Program” were established. The scale was competent enough to determine the effectiveness of a home program given by physiotherapists and adaptation of family/ caregivers to home program.