Article
The value of the CoughAssist in the daily lives of children with neuromuscular disorders: Experiences of families, children and physiotherapists. A brief report
Developmental Neurorehabilitation
(2014)
Abstract
Objectives: We explored parents’, children’s and physiotherapists’ experiences of regular
CoughAssist use, along with their perceptions of its value as an adjunct to in their daily, home
respiratory management. Methods: All children in the care of a specialist neuromuscular service
who regularly used a CoughAssist device at home participated. Qualitative case study
methods involved semi-structured interviews with three children with neuromuscular disorders
(NMD), their parents and physiotherapist. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.
Results: Participants (n¼9) perceived the CoughAssist held benefits for physical, social and
emotional aspects of living with NMD. Poor adherence was identified as the major barrier to
effective use, governed by factors including child’s resistance, time constraints, treatment
preference, practitioner support and fear of pressure trauma. Conclusions: Barriers to regular
CoughAssist use must be identified and individually addressed to enable uptake into
respiratory care, accurately measure its effectiveness and realise its perceived benefits to
children with NMD.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2014
DOI
10.3109/17518423.2014.993771
Citation Information
Travlos, J., Drew, K., and Patman, S. (2014). The value of the CoughAssist in the daily lives of children with neuromuscular disorders: Experiences of families, children and physiotherapists. A brief report. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Online. DOI: 10.3109/17518423.2014.993771