Exploring Parent Perspectives of Feasibility After Intensive Telerehabilitation for Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract To test the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of parent-enacted telehealth pediatric constraint induced movement therapy (pCIMT) for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). A pCIMT intervention was adapted for telehealth. Participants ( n = 12) received 20 sessions (daily, 3 h each) of telehealth pCIMT over 4 weeks. Quantitative data was collected using the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Appropriateness of Intervention Measure (FIM, AIM, IAM) and Usefulness, Usability and Desirability (UUD). Qualitative data was collected via semi-structured, post-treatment, parent interviews and coded using inductive content analysis and constant comparison. Quantitative and qualitative results support feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of telehealth pCIMT and usefulness, usability, and desirability of study technology. Median scores on Feasibility, Acceptability, and Appropriateness of Intervention Measure (out of 20 possible points) were 20 (IQR = 5.75), 18.5 (IQR = 3.75) and 20 (IQR = 4), respectively; median ratings on the Usefulness, Usability and Desirability Assessment (7 point likert scale 1–7) were 6 (IQR = 1), 6.5 (IQR = 1), and 6 (IQR = 2.5) respectively. Content analysis of parent interviews yielded three categories: Implementation Potential, Advantages and Disadvantages, and Logistical Considerations. Telehealth pCIMT was feasible, acceptable, and appropriate but is not without challenges. A demonstration of the efficacy of telehealth pCIMT is needed. Registered on Clinicaltrials.gov on 3/21/2022 with ID NCT05303883.