Person-centred care (PCC) has considerable effects on the clinical practice of health professionals. The purpose of this study was to describe the perspectives and perceived barriers and enablers o...

Background/Objectives: Pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects motor skills, posture, and muscle coordination, impacting children’s daily functioning and quality of life. Treatment approaches in occupational therapy aim to enhance motor function and functional independence through a variety of rehabilitative techniques. Recently, new technologies—such as virtual reality, robotics, and assistive devices—have emerged as promising tools in occupational therapy to complement traditional interventions and potentially enhance motor and sensory outcomes in children with CP. This systematic review aims to analyze the effectiveness of these innovative technological interventions in the rehabilitation of children with CP. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and different scales were used to assess the risk of bias and methodological quality. The degree of evidence and level of recommendation were established according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines, with a comprehensive literature search performed across multiple databases, including Cochrane, Web of Science, and PubMed. This systematic review has been registered in the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42025630162. Results: The reviewed studies indicate that technologies such as functional electrical stimulation, robotic assistance, and adaptive devices have shown improvements in mobility, motor control, posture, strength, and autonomy in children with CP. Similarly, virtual environments support the correction of facial dysfunctions and enhance social interaction through video games and social networks. While these tools hold significant potential for rehabilitation, further adjustments are needed to achieve more consistent results. Conclusions: Emerging technologies appear to be effective tools in occupational therapy for pediatric CP, with positive impacts on motor skills and functional capabilities. Nevertheless, further studies with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodological designs are necessary to confirm these findings and establish more robust evidence on their long-term efficacy.

Background: Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs) occur in childhood and are associated with severe epileptic seizures and neurological impairment. The aim of this study was to combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies to comprehensively describe factors related to quality of life, impact on the family and psychosocial factors in parents of children with TSC, STXBP1 and SYNGAP1 variants.Methods: A convergent parallel mixed design including parents of children with DEE. In the cross-sectional study, 20 parents (10STXBP1, five SYNGAP1, five TSC) were given questionnaires on quality of life, impact on the family and psychological factors. In the descriptive qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 parents (nine STXBP1, five TSC, four SYNGAP1) using a semi-structured questionnaire. A thematic analysis was carried out. The results of the two studies were combined by showing similarities and differences through tables, figures, accounts, and joint displays.Results: In terms of quality of life, the integrated results were consistent in highlighting the importance of family interaction, although in the qualitative section the influence of the relationship between the children's siblings, the relationship with health professionals and the difficulties in obtaining public aid were highlighted. In terms of impact, the integrated results show that the illness has a significant impact on the family; the financial burden is highlighted, and the experience of the illness is discussed in depth. Finally, the psychological aspects, symptoms such as anxiety, stress and strain, were consistent. Most of the participants reported sleep disturbance, as identified in the questionnaire, although not mentioned in the interviews.Conclusions: The combined results of the mixed method provide an in-depth analysis of the impact of DEEs on parents of children with STXBP1, SYNGAP1 and TSC.

Professional support and communication stimulates the professional-patient relationship and supports the recovery of stroke patients. To describe the perspectives of patients with stroke regarding communication, professional support, and their ability to participate in processes and integrated care with health providers. A qualitative study was conducted. A purposeful sampling and snowball-technique were used. Patients diagnosed with moderate or severe stroke in the post-acute or chronic stage of the disease were included. Data collection consisted of in-depth interviews and researcher field notes. A thematic analysis was performed. Thirty-one patients were included. Three themes were identified: 1) Providing support, with four categories, professional behavior, personalized attention, the heart of the professional and building a bond with the patient; 2) Facilitating communication, with three categories, the patient as the recipient, the content of the message and the channel, and the professional as the person that conveys the message; and 3) Promoting participation, with two categories, barriers, and incentives to participate. When providing support, professionals should consider communicating information and encouraging the participation of stroke patients for integrated care.

Background/Objectives: Introducing a demanding home-based program (HBP) of Vojta therapy (VT) into their daily activities is a life-altering event for parents of children with global developmental delay (GDD). This study aims to document the experiences of parents of children with GDD administering a HBP of VT. Methods: A multicentre study with a qualitative case design based on an interpretative approach is presented. Interviews were conducted with 10 parents using photo-elicitation (PE). Inductive and thematic analyses were used. Results: Four common experiential themes were identified. Firstly, crying was identified as the most significant barrier to administering therapy (despite parents accepting that crying was not pain-related). Secondly, parents described the intense and variable emotional impact of being responsible for the therapy and its effects on their child. Thirdly, parents unanimously felt that their involvement was worthwhile, with the developmental results they perceived outweighing the emotional, physical and time demands of administering the VT. Finally, parents developed a narrative of hope stemming from the therapy and its observed effects. Conclusions: The physical, emotional and time demands on parents when administering a HBP of VT are very significant. The main barriers to adherence to the program are identified as the child’s crying during therapy and time management. Intense emotional experiences, both positive and negative, arise while administering a HBP of VT. Parents are not only able to overcome all emotional and logistical challenges when they recognize improvements in their child, but they also begin to hope for further improvement. Implications for the professional design of HBPs of VT include the following: advanced warning that crying is normal, part of the therapy and not pain-related; training and ongoing support from a qualified therapist; training in recognising developmental improvement; and psychological support to deal with the emotional journey.