Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Program for Caregivers regarding Caring of Children with Cerebral Palsy Undergoing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Background: Caregivers play a vital role in providing comprehensive care for children with cerebral palsy, as their practice greatly enhances effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and prevent its complications. Aim of study: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a video-assisted teaching program for caregivers regarding caring of children with cerebral palsy undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Research design: This study applied a quasi-experimental research design. Setting: This study was carried out at the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit in the Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment, Cairo, Egypt. Sample: 76 caregivers and their children (divided into study and control groups) were taken by a purposive sample. Tools of data collection: Five tools were used. 1): Structured interviewing questionnaire sheet which consisted of three parts A) Demographic traits of caregivers under the study and characteristics of children with cerebral palsy. B) Health profile of children with cerebral palsy. C) Knowledge of caregivers regarding cerebral palsy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. II) The FLACC pain scale. III) Reported practices of caregivers related to cerebral palsy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy structured interviewing sheet. IV) Communication function classification system scale V) Communication and symbolic behavior scales Results: The findings revealed that 18.4% and 15.8% of the study and control groups of caregivers had good total knowledge level pre-program implementation, which improved to 81.6% and 28.9% post program implementation, respectively. Also, a highly statistically significant positive correlation between total reported practices of studied caregivers and communication abilities of their children with cerebral palsy was present than control group. Conclusion: The video-assisted teaching program greatly improve the knowledge, practices of study group of caregivers, and communication abilities among the study group of the children then the control group. Recommendation: Establish and implement periodical workshops for caregivers regarding cerebral palsy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy with focus on increasing knowledge and equipping them with essential skills.