Adapted bikes - what children and young people with cerebral palsy told us about their participation in adapted dynamic cycling

• Published in: Disability and rehabilitation: Assistive technology 2013-01, Vol.8 (1), p.30-37
• Main Authors: Pickering, Dawn M., Horrocks, Lyn, Visser, Karen, Todd, Gabriela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Bicycles; Bicycling; Cerebral palsy; Cerebral Palsy - psychology; Cerebral Palsy - rehabilitation; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; cycling; Disabled Children - psychology; Disabled Children - rehabilitation; Equipment Design; Facilitators; Female; Humans; Male; Parent-Child Relations; participation; Patient Compliance; Pilot Projects; Self Concept; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young children; Young people
• ISSN: 1748-3107; 1748-3115
• DOI: 10.3109/17483107.2012.680942

Purpose: Children and young people with Cerebral Palsy have limited opportunities for participation and there has been limited research to explore this concept. Adapted dynamic cycling (ADC) is one activity that can enable them to participate in the community. The aim of this paper is to report the views and experiences of children and young people with CP and their families regarding their participation in ADC. Methods: This was part of a mixed methods study of which the qualitative findings are reported here. Iterative creative methods were developed which involved semi-structured interviews and diaries about the ADC experience. Results: The themes that emerged were the staff and the environment at the cycling hire project, the facilitators and barriers to ADC, the technical set up of the bike and the impact on the child and family in terms of developments over time, future aspirations, learning cycling skills, social participation and health benefits. Conclusions: The data showed that children's experiences of ADC were fun and enjoyable. This fun exercise should be incorporated into a physiotherapy programme as part of the child or young person with CP's rehabilitation. Policy makers and parents may find the information useful to increase the child's participation. Implications for Rehabilitation Children and young people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) may have difficulty participating in physical leisure activities. Dynamic cycling on specially adapted trikes (ADC) can give then this exciting opportunity, which has many psychological and physical health benefits. This paper describes a pilot study of 17 children and young people with CP who took part in six sessions of ADC. Therapists, educators and policy makers may consider providing this opportunity to children and young people with disabilities.