Supportive mobility device use across the life span by individuals with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study.
Heather A Feldner, Deborah Gaebler-Spira, Varun Awasthi and 1 others
PMID 35426449WHAT IT FOUND
Individuals with CP described mobility devices as both liberating and restricting, noting they are often designed for transport rather than living.
Caregivers and providers reported a broken system with frequent denials and delays. Stakeholders called for devices that adapt across the life span.
Key findings
01Participants described mobility devices as critical for independence but also as barriers to participation due to design limitations and lack of adaptability across the life span.
02Individuals and caregivers reported frustration with a system characterized by frequent denials, lengthy delays, and high costs, often driven by state-specific policies.
03Healthcare providers described being 'caught in the middle' between wanting to provide optimal care and facing constraints from funding, regulatory climates, and limited specialty seating clinics.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Selection bias may be present as participants were mostly White and self-selected. Funding agency and policy representatives were not included in the study. Researchers had professional experience with mobility devices, which could introduce acquiescence bias. The large and diverse sample led to increased heterogeneity in responses.
Declared interests
The study was supported by non-US government funding. The research team included pediatric physical therapists and a physiatrist with extensive clinical experience in the CP community, though none had lived experience with CP.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that specific mobility devices improve clinical outcomes or participation. This is a qualitative study describing experiences and perceptions of barriers and facilitators; it does not measure efficacy.