E-survey of current international physiotherapy practice for children with ataxia following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour

Abstract

Objective: To determine current international practice regarding physiotherapy input for children with ataxia following surgery for posterior fossa tumour. Design: An e-survey covering the following domains: participant demographics, treatment/intervention, virtual training, intensity/timing of treatment, and aims and outcomes of physiotherapy management. Participants: Physiotherapists involved in the management of children with ataxia following surgical resection of posterior fossa tumour. Participants were contacted via 6 key groups; Paediatric Oncology Physiotherapy Network (POPs), Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP), European Paediatric Neurology Society (EPNS), International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP)-Europe Brain Tumour Group, Posterior Fossa Society (PFS), and Pediatric Oncology Special Interest Group (SIG) (American Physical Therapy Association). Results: A total of 96 physiotherapists participated: UK (n=53), rest of Europe (n=23), USA/Canada (n=10), and Australia/NZ (n=10). The most common physiotherapy interventions used were balance exercises, gait re-education and proximal control activities. The most frequently used adjuncts to treatment were mobility aids and orthotics. Challenges reported regarding physiotherapy treatment were: reduced availability of physiotherapy input following discharge from the acute setting, lack of evidence, impact of adjuvant oncology treatment, and psychosocial impact. Conclusion: This e-survey provides an initial scoping review of international physiotherapy practice in this area. It establishes a foundation for future research on improving rehabilitation of ataxia in this population.