Wingrat J, Price C, Wright T. 2024. Facilitators of and barriers to caregiver adherence to home therapy recommendations for infants and children with neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnoses: A scoping review. Am J Occup Ther 78(5):7805205070; doi: 10.5014/ajot.2024.050567.
Abstract
Importance: Caregiver-performed home therapy programs are essential to occupational therapy intervention for infants and children with neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnoses. Factors that facilitate or are barriers to caregiver adherence when making home therapy recommendations should be considered.
Objective: To identify facilitators of and barriers to caregiver adherence to home therapy recommendations for children with neuromotor and neuromuscular disorders.
Method: The review followed the five-step methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley (2005) and was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.
Data Sources: Searches with no language or date range limits were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX on the EBSCO platform, and Scopus on the Elsevier platform from database inception through January 24, 2023.
Study Selection and Data Collection: Study inclusion criteria included caregiver adherence to home therapy recommendations for children with neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnoses. Eight hundred seventy-five articles underwent title and abstract screening; 64 articles met the criteria for full review.
Findings: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Four used qualitative measures, 7 used quantitative measures, and 1 used mixed methods. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed four facilitators: routine, efficacy of caregiver education, positive relationship with therapist, and perceived benefit of treatment. The analysis revealed three barriers: lack of time, lack of confidence, and caregiver stress.
Conclusions and Relevance: The facilitators and barriers identified are central to best-practice occupational therapy. Therapists can use expertise in analyzing routines and context to maximize the fit between family needs and home therapy recommendations.