Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited, life-threatening disorder of the lungs and digestive system affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 children. Chest physiotherapy is a major component in the respiratory management of CF to help prevent lung damage. Adherence in young children is important because damage occurs rapidly and can be irreversible. However, only 50% of parents and young children adhere to their recommended regimen. Interventions to address this significant problem are lacking.
SCOOP will develop and test the feasibility of a theoretically- and empirically-informed, multi-professional intervention for parents/carers to increase physiotherapy adherence among 0-8 year olds comprising of two components: 1) An audio-visual support resource to enhance parental intentions to adhere to physiotherapy; 2) A family-specific adherence plan to facilitate the translation of intentions into behavioural change. This will likely lead to a trial that should impact on patient outcomes such as decreasing the likelihood of lung damage thus potentially extending life.
SCOOP is led by Emma France at the University of Stirling.
Contacts
- Shaun Treweek; streweek@mac.com