title: The effect of supported physical activity on parental-reported health-related quality of life in children with medical complexity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of a 5-week supported physical activity (PA) intervention on parental report of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in children with medical complexity (CMC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine CMC participated in 180 minutes of supported PA daily. A pre- and post-test design was used to assess HRQL total and domain scores as reported by parents. The relationship between supported PA duration and HRQL was also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with medical complexity experienced no adverse effects with the supported PA intervention. Significant improvements in HRQL scores (P < 0.05) were demonstrated. A 5- to 8-point HRQL improvement occurred when CMC engaged in an average of 40 minutes of PA daily.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term, supported PA enhanced parental report of HRQL in children with medical complexity. Supported PA appears safe for CMC and rehabilitation therapists should explore methods to expand opportunities for participation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
authors.forename: Cindy B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.affiliation: Developmental Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institution, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Kristie F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Bjornson
authors.affiliation: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT, USA.
authors.forename: Jane K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.affiliation: The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Unni G
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Narayanan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Children with medical complexity; health-related quality of life; physical activity; quality of life