Challenges in Trying to Implement an Early Intervention Program for Infants with Congenital Heart Disease. Issue 1 (2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Suzanne H.; Eldridge, Beverley J.; Harris, Susan R.; Cheung, Michael M. H.
• Is Part Of: Pediatric physical therapy. Volume 27:Issue 1(2015:Spring)
• Publication Date: 2015
• Subjects: acceptability of health care -- congenital heart disease -- early intervention -- feasibility study -- infant -- patient participation -- physical therapy -- research subject recruitment; Physical therapy for children -- Periodicals; 615.820832
• DOI: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000101
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-5669

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To describe challenges in trying to implement a physical therapy-based early intervention program for infants with congenital heart disease. Methods: Neonates with cyanotic congenital heart disease who had elective or emergency cardiac surgery at age 28 days or less participated in the study. Families were offered hospital-based physical therapy intervention from infant age of 3 months. Feasibility and efficacy of intervention were to be evaluated at 8 months. Results: Study recruitment was protracted and then stopped. Anticipated sample size was limited by survival (86%) and recruitment rates (75%); cardiorespiratory and neurological complications led to lengthy admissions, precluding study participation. In addition, geographic constraints and families' general take-up of the services offered limited ability of those recruited to receive intervention at planned frequency and intensity. Conclusions: Overall, data collected demonstrated infeasibility to evaluate effectiveness of hospital-based physical therapy intervention for this cohort of infants. Nonetheless, valuable data were gathered about factors leading to nonparticipation. Abstract : The authors describe the difficulties encountered when trying to evaluate effectiveness of hospital-based PT intervention for infants with CHD. Although the study was abandoned, valuable data were gathered about factors leading to nonparticipation.