Abstract
Aims
To synthesize evidence on the impact of context-based interventions on the participation of children with disabilities in the community.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted using the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Guidelines for systematic reviews. Seven databases were searched; articles included were on children with developmental disabilities under the age of 19 years, describing systems-level, context-based interventions aimed to improve participation and Participation-related outcomes of the Family of Participation-related Constructs framework. Intervention characteristics were coded using the Community Wellbeing Framework (CWF).
Results
Eleven articles were included for knowledge synthesis. Four studies were level I, II, and III based on the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine hierarchy. All four showed that context-based interventions had a positive effect on participation and participation-related outcomes. All 11 studies had intervention properties that were coded to at least one domain on the CWF.
Conclusion
There is a scarcity of high-quality studies that focus on context-based interventions at the systems-level, as opposed to the individual-level. Albeit low-level quality, existing evidence emphasized the importance of using known facilitators to participation, such as staff training, peer mentorship, awareness-raising, and development of partnerships to change the system and promote participation.
Acknowledgments
We thank and acknowledge Ms. Jill Boruff, librarian working at McGill University, and Ms. Ibtisam Mahmoud and the librarians working at McGill University Health Centre, who helped develop the search strategy and conduct the search within the databases.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Paul Yejong Yoo
Paul Yejong Yoo, MSc, OT, is a PhD Candidate in Rehabilitation Science in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University.
Ebele R. I. Mogo
Ebele R. I. Mogo, PhD, is a Research Associate in the MRC Epidemiogy Unit at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine.
Janet McCabe
Janet McCabe, RN, PhD, is an Associate Dean of Nursing in the Faculty of Health Sciences at, Ontario Tech University.
Melanie Bergthorson
Melanie Bergthorson, OT, is an Occupational Therapist at the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre.
Rose Elekanachi
Rose Elekanachiis PhD Candidatein Rehabilitation Science in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University.
Roberta Cardoso
Roberta Cardoso, RN, PhD, is a Research Associate at the McGill University Health Centre.
Mehrnoosh Movahed
Mehrnoosh Movahed, MD, PhD, is a Research Associate in the School of Phsical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University.
Annette Majnemer
Annette Majnemer, OT, PhD, FCAHS, is the Vice-Dean of Education in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University.
Keiko Shikako
Keiko Shikako, OT, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University.