Telehealth Interventions for Daily Routine Activities in Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

Telehealth Intervention for Performance of Activities in Daily Routines in Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

Performance of activities during daily routines is an important outcome of rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with physical disabilities, independent of their health condition or functional level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a telehealth intervention using WhatsApp text, audio, and video messaging on achievement of individualized goals for performance of activities in daily routines in children and adolescents with physical disabilities. The intervention is an eight-week participation-based intervention for children and adolescents with physical disabilities consisted of a goal-oriented, family-centred, collaborative, strength-based, ecological, and self-determined intervention.

Performance of activities during daily routines is an important outcome of rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with physical disabilities, independent of their health condition or functional level. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health defines activity as whole-body actions and participation as involvement in life situations. Telehealth is a method of service delivery that might enable service providers and families to collaborate on goals for performance of activities during daily routines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a telehealth intervention using WhatsApp text, audio, and video messaging on achievement of individualized goals for performance of activities in daily routines in children and adolescents with physical disabilities.

The intervention is an eight-week participation-based intervention for children and adolescents with physical disabilities consisted of a goal-oriented, family-centred, collaborative, strength-based, ecological, and self-determined intervention. It is a pragmatic intervention where goals for physical activities in daily routines took into consideration the difficulty of the goal, the family's daily routines, opportunities for practice, and time available for practice. The therapist is a consultant, sharing information, educating, and instructing in ways that encouraged engagement of participants in the intervention process. There are two follow-ups: first after twelve weeks y the last two years later.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants between five and 21 years old.
• Participants with a physical disability.
• Participants with the ability to walk with or without an assistive device.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with orthopedic surgery within the past 6 months.
• Participants with a health condition limiting physical activity.
• Participants with contraindications to exercise.
• Participants unable to understand the instructions to complete the outcome measures.