Analysing mosaic data by a ‘Wheel of Participation’ to explore physical activities and cycling with children and youth with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Children and youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have limited opportunities for participation. These qualitative results are part of a mixed methods study exploring the effects of participation in physical activities including adapted cycling.

Objectives: The first aim was to explore physical activity participation of children and youth with CP. The second aim was to introduce information about adapted cycling and explore if they would participate in the future.

Methods: Mosaic methods were adapted and this involved the use of puppetry, pictures and drawing and they also kept a written diary.

Results: 18 participants were recruited aged 2–13, 11 male, 7 female resulting in 17 interviews and 15 diaries. The participants had a range of communication abilities, 10 spoke verbally, 3 were nonverbal, 2 used Makaton signing and 3 had dysarthria. The data were managed in NVIVO and analysed with coding using a template approach. The themes which emerged revealed some barriers and encouragers of physical activity participation represented by a ‘Wheel of Participation’. The interview and diary data enabled their voices to be heard as their ‘Mosaic’ was built up through this iterative analytic process. 11 of the 18 children actually tried adapted cycling following the provision of written information.

Conclusion: This change behaviour was positive and further research should explore habitual participation in physical activities such as adapted cycling. By hearing their perspectives about participation in physical activities and cycling, the experiences described suggest there are now some enjoyable opportunities for participation for children and youth with CP.

Keywords:

• Mosaic methods
• physical activity
• participation and cerebral palsy

Acknowledgements

Participating Parents, Children and young people, staff and volunteers at Pedal Power, Cardiff University, BBC Children in Need, The Nancie Finnie Charitable Trust, Jenx, Polar. Dr R van Deursen for Departmental support for the data collection and transcription costs. All authors contributed to the research design. G. Todd recruited the participants. D. M. Pickering was the Principal Investigator. D. M. Pickering and L. M. Horrocks collected and analysed the interview and diary data. K. S. Visser designed the measurement protocols and collected the measurement and cycling data with G. Todd.

All research was undertaken in accordance with Research governance regulations. Approval was given by the South West Wales Research Ethics Committee Ref 10/WMW02/25 and Cardiff University School of Healthcare studies Ethics committee. The research was funded by the Nancie Finnie Charitable trust for 3 years.