RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Implementation of supervised physiotherapy in a school environment in children with cystic fibrosis
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA2061
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA2061
VO 46
IS suppl 59
A1 Naomi Dunmore
A1 Erol Gaillard
A1 Alison Claydon
A1 Manjith Narayanan
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA2061.abstract
AB Background: Physiotherapy affects long term outcome and prevents disease progression in cystic fibrosis (CF). Adherence with physiotherapy is often limited, especially in schoolchildren. Parents often report frustration and conflicts in the home environment due to lack of adherence.Aims: To determine changes in lung function and reported symptoms before and after implementing supervised school physiotherapy in children with CF.Methods: Subjects were identified for supervised school physiotherapy programme at a multi-disciplinary paediatric CF clinic at the Leicester Royal Infirmary based on factors such as decline in lung function, increased pulmonary exacerbations, reported and objective evidence for decreased adherence with physiotherapy. An agreed programme of school physiotherapy was arranged with full participation of the subject, their parents and school. Training was provided to the school personnel by the team physiotherapist. Regular contact was maintained with the school to ensure smooth implementation. Lung functions and symptom scores were reviewed before and after implementation of the programme.Results: 6 patients (3 males, mean age-9.8 years ) were identified for school physiotherapy programme. Following implementation, FEV1% predicted increased by mean of 7.7% (range -2 to 16, p=0.03) and FVC% predicted increased by a mean of 7.7% (range -4 to 13, p=0.01). Families reported decreased symptom score and less conflict in the home environment.Conclusion: In school children with poor adherence with physiotherapy, implementation of a structured school physiotherapy programme leads to improvement in lung function, symptom scores and a significant reduction in conflict at home.