Motivation in pediatric motor rehabilitation: A systematic search of the literature using the self-determination theory as a conceptual framework

ABSTRACT

Objective: Motivation is suggested as an important factor in pediatric motor rehabilitation. Therefore, we reviewed the existing evidence of (motivational) motor rehabilitation paradigms, and how motivation influences rehabilitation outcome using self-determination theory as conceptual framework. Methods: PubMed and Web-of-Science databases were systematically searched until June 2015. Data were independently extracted and critiqued for quality by three authors. Studies reporting motivational aspects were included. Most studies examined new technology (e.g., virtual reality [VR]). Results: Out of 479 records, three RCT, six case-control, and six non-comparative studies were included with mixed quality. Motivation was rarely reported. Training individualization to the child’s capabilities with more variety seemed promising to increase motivation. Motivation increased when the exercises seemed helpful for daily activities. Conclusions: Motivation in pediatric rehabilitation should be comprehensively assessed within a theoretical framework as there are indications that motivated children have better rehabilitation outcomes, depending on the aspect of motivation.

KEYWORDS:

• Child
• motor rehabilitation
• motivation
• self-determination theory
• virtual reality

Funding

Pieter Meyns was supported by a grant of the Research Foundation of Flanders (FWO; “Krediet aan Navorsers” grant number 1503915N). Pieter Meyns is supported by the European Commission as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow (part of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020; proposal 660458). There was no role of these funding bodies in the study design, collection and analysis of data, interpretation of data, writing of the paper, and decision to submit the paper for publication.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

Pieter Meyns was supported by a grant of the Research Foundation of Flanders (FWO; “Krediet aan Navorsers” grant number 1503915N). Pieter Meyns is supported by the European Commission as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow (part of the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020; proposal 660458). There was no role of these funding bodies in the study design, collection and analysis of data, interpretation of data, writing of the paper, and decision to submit the paper for publication.