title: Perceptions of parents of children with cerebral palsy about the relevance of, and adherence to, exercise programs: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore how parents of children with cerebral palsy, attending mainstream primary schools, perceive the relevance of, and adherence with, exercise programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative research with constructivist approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents. Open-ended questions related to their role in supporting the child's recommended exercise program. A thematic analysis approach was used to generate three main themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The themes were: exercise program management and delivery, perceived feelings and personal responses, and external impact and support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exercise programs, to be implemented by families at home and support workers in school, are often characterized as prescriptive and focused on the child's impairment. These need to be integrated into a more holistic approach that considers family and child preferences. If this is to be achieved, parents' perspectives must play a legitimate part in evaluating the effectiveness of practice.
authors.affiliation: Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals, NHS Trust, West Midlands, UK. una.peplow@nhs.net
authors.forename: Una C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Peplow
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carpenter
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D004644:Emotions; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology