Promotion of sports, exercise and physical activity participation during postoperative interventions for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: protocol for an international e-Delphi study.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is present in 2%-3% of those under 18 years old and has a significant impact on pain, function and quality of life. Up to 10% of adolescents with AIS progress to spinal fusion surgery, and of those individuals many experience reduced musculoskeletal function and do not return to sports postoperatively. Physiotherapists have a significant role in promoting participation and offering a graded return to sports, exercise and physical activity. However, there is a lack of evidence and variability between surgeons and physiotherapists worldwide regarding rehabilitation milestones and return to exercise, sports and physical activity. This study aims to reach a consensus on when it is safe and how an individual might begin a graded return to sports, exercise and physical activity. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol was written in accordance with the Guidance on Conducting and REporting DElphi Studies (CREDES) guidelines. An international expert sample of surgeons and physiotherapists in AIS will be recruited. This electronic Delphi is anticipated to consist of three iterative rounds. Round 1 will be a series of open-ended questions examining rehabilitation milestones and return to sports, exercise and physical activity postoperatively. Round 2 will commence with a summary of the existing literature for participants to review. Rounds 2 and 3 will involve a collated summary of results from the previous round, including any dissonance. During rounds 2 and 3, participants will be asked to privately rate responses on a 5-point Likert scale. The study steering group and patient and public involvement representative have been involved from conceptualisation and will continue to be involved until final dissemination. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Full ethical approval has been provided by the University of Birmingham, reference number: ERN_1617-Nov2023. Dissemination will take place through conference presentation and peer-reviewed publications.

Factors Influencing Participation in Physical Activity, Sports, and Exercise in Children and Adolescents with Spinal Pain or Spinal Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an effective treatment for paediatric spinal pain. However, participation rates remain low and review evidence is needed to establish why. This review identifies factors influencing participation in sports, exercise, and physical activity in those aged 18 or under with spinal pain or spinal conditions. Trends or differences between discrete sub-populations are identified. METHODS: A meta-ethnographic review was undertaken. Qualitative papers were identified and appraised using the JBI checklist. Thematic trends were mapped onto the biopsychosocial model and subthemes identified. Uniqueness was calculated and the confidence in the evidence was evaluated using the GRADE-CERQual tool. RESULTS: Data were gathered from nine qualitative papers (384 participants). Three themes were identified: (1) biological: physical challenges and bladder and bowel care; (2) psychological: perceptions of differences to peers, struggle, anger, sadness, adjustment, and acceptance; and (3) sociological: influence of friends, social acceptance, negative attitudes from others, and the influence of their disability on family routine. CONCLUSIONS: Sociological factors were most influential on exercise participation alongside related psychological and biological factors. Adolescents over 14 years offered greater critical insight compared to the younger children. Results are best applied to neuromuscular conditions with further robust evidence required in paediatric musculoskeletal spinal pain.

Barriers and facilitators of physical function, activity, sports and exercise in children and adolescents with spinal pain: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-ethnography.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal pain is one of the leading causes of disability, with the incidence of adolescent back pain estimated at 20%. Multiple barriers influence exercise participation in adolescents. However, there remains a lack of literature surrounding patients' choice to exercise, perceived barriers and facilitators of exercise, and their relationship to participant demographics. The aim of this systematic review with meta-ethnography will be to identify the barriers and facilitators of exercise participation among adolescents with thoracic or lower back pain (LBP). The secondary aim will be to identify any trends in barriers and facilitators of exercise between different demographic groups within children or adolescents under 18 years. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The seven-phase process identified by Noblit and Hare's meta-ethnography approach will be used. A comprehensive electronic search of databases (AMED, CINAHLplus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Nursing & Allied Health, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Social Science Database) will be completed during April 2022. Grey literature using reference lists, websites and search engines will also be searched in accordance with Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) guidelines. Inclusion criteria include: (A) qualitative studies, (B) participants under 18 years experiencing thoracic or LBP, (C) identification of barriers and facilitators of exercise participation in exercise, sports or physical activity and (D) primary research. This systematic review with meta-ethnography review aims to generate theories of behaviours and interpret significance across multiple studies. This process aims to develop future physiotherapeutic behavioural interventions, inform service provision and identify possible future research questions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval was required due to the nature of using previously published work to form a systematic review paper. This systematic review and meta-ethnography will be disseminated through both conference presentations and journal publications. No funding was received for this review. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022314796.