Walking activities beyond gait training: Priorities in everyday life for parents and adolescents in pediatric neurorehabilitation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to gain knowledge about which walking-related everyday life activities and situations are relevant for parents of children with a neuromotor disorder and adolescents undergoing inpatient neurorehabilitation. METHODS: Two focus group interviews with purposive samples were performed, one with seven parents of children with acquired or congenital neuromotor disorders, and one with four adolescents undergoing inpatient neurorehabilitation. Data were analyzed with a qualitative descriptive research approach. RESULTS: Parents identified 120 activities that they considered as relevant in their everyday life and the adolescents identified 113 activities. Based on these activities, ten different categories that have a direct relation to walking in everyday life were identified. “Dealing with obstacles,” “moving in public areas,” “moving in a group,” and “walking in general” were perceived as the highest priority categories by the focus group participants. CONCLUSION: Activities incorporating walking tasks related to moving in a group or public areas and dealing with obstacles are perceived as meaningful by adolescents and parents in their everyday life. Addressing these categories in the goal setting process with families could facilitate the definition of walking-related goals aimed at increasing children’s and adolescents’ independence in daily life.