{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,29]],"date-time":"2026-10-29T17:51:24Z","timestamp":1793296284728,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]],"date-time":"2020-11-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1605657600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]],"date-time":"2020-11-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1605657600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Pediatr"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,12]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Support walkers are a type of assistive device that may enable non-ambulant children with disabilities to walk independently and promote improvements in bowel function, bone mineral density (BMD), mobility, independence, participation and social function. However, there is little evidence to support these benefits and there is a lack of research describing the use of support walkers in clinical practice. This study aimed to examine the use of support walkers for children with disabilities in clinical practice.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Method<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>A survey was distributed via professional organisations, charities and schools associated with paediatric disabilities in the UK. Participants were recruited between January and March 2018. Populations of interest were those who prescribe support walkers to children with disabilities and those who work with children who use them.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>In total, 125 people were included in the analysis; 107 responders prescribed support walkers and 18 responders worked with children who used support walkers. The population of children who use support walkers ranged from 6\u2009months to 18\u2009years and included children with cerebral palsy, chromosomal abnormalities and other medical conditions. Use of these devices was also reported in schools, at home and in the community for varying lengths of time. Numerous perceived benefits were noted, most frequent of which were increases in physical activity and enjoyment. By comparison, fewer perceived problems were identified but centred on lack of space and difficulty with transfers.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec><jats:sec>\n<jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>This study provides insight into the use of support walkers in the UK, particularly surrounding current practices, which may help to improve consistency in clinical settings. Perceived benefits and problems may provide a basis for identification of appropriate outcome measures to monitor effectiveness. These results should also provide a basis for designing future studies to examine effectiveness of support walkers for paediatric disabilities.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]],"date-time":"2020-11-18T04:14:07Z","timestamp":1605672847000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":14,"title":["The use and perception of support walkers for children with disabilities: a United Kingdom survey"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"20","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8391-2157","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ciaran","family":"George","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wendy","family":"Levin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jennifer M.","family":"Ryan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]]},"reference":[{"issue":"6","key":"2401_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"450","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-8749.2007.00450.x","volume":"49","author":"CA Maher","year":"2007","unstructured":"Maher CA, Williams MT, Olds T, Lane AE. Physical and sedentary activity in adolescents with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007;49(6):450\u20137.","journal-title":"Dev Med Child Neurol"},{"issue":"2","key":"2401_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"132","DOI":"10.1007\/s00038-004-3056-4","volume":"49","author":"CA Steele","year":"2004","unstructured":"Steele CA, Kalnins IV, Rossen BE, Biggar DW, Bortolussi JA, Jutai JW. Age-related health risk behaviors of adolescents with physical disabilities. Sozial- und Praventivmedizin. 2004;49(2):132\u201341.","journal-title":"Sozial- und Praventivmedizin"},{"issue":"14","key":"2401_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"989","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2011-090236","volume":"46","author":"N Shields","year":"2012","unstructured":"Shields N, Synnot AJ, Barr M. Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity for children with disability: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(14):989\u201397.","journal-title":"Br J Sports Med"},{"issue":"2","key":"2401_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"137","DOI":"10.1111\/dmcn.12624","volume":"57","author":"MAT Bloemen","year":"2015","unstructured":"Bloemen MAT, Backx FJG, Takken T, Wittink H, Benner J, Mollema J, de Groot JF. Factors associated with physical activity in children and adolescents with a physical disability: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2015;57(2):137\u201348.","journal-title":"Dev Med Child Neurol"},{"issue":"11","key":"2401_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1077","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215514565947","volume":"29","author":"G Paleg","year":"2015","unstructured":"Paleg G, Livingstone R. Outcomes of gait trainer use in home and school settings for children with motor impairments: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil. 2015;29(11):1077\u201391.","journal-title":"Clin Rehabil"},{"issue":"4","key":"2401_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"381","DOI":"10.1097\/PEP.0b013e318235257c","volume":"23","author":"SA Low","year":"2011","unstructured":"Low SA, McCoy SW, Beling J, Adams J. Pediatric physical therapists\u2019 use of support walkers for children with disabilities: a nationwide survey. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2011;23(4):381\u20139.","journal-title":"Pediatr Phys Ther"},{"key":"2401_CR7","unstructured":"World Health Organization: International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001."},{"issue":"5","key":"2401_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"587","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijnurstu.2012.09.010","volume":"50","author":"P Craig","year":"2013","unstructured":"Craig P, Dieppe P, Macintyre S, Michie S, Nazareth I, Petticrew M. Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new medical research council guidance. Int J Nurs Stud. 2013;50(5):587\u201392.","journal-title":"Int J Nurs Stud"},{"issue":"1","key":"2401_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"79","DOI":"10.1097\/PEP.0b013e31818f57f2","volume":"21","author":"S Eisenberg","year":"2009","unstructured":"Eisenberg S, Zuk L, Carmeli E, Katz-Leurer M. Contribution of stepping while standing to function and secondary conditions among children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2009;21(1):79\u201385.","journal-title":"Pediatr Phys Ther"},{"issue":"3","key":"2401_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"155","DOI":"10.1080\/17483100600627382","volume":"1","author":"VF Wright","year":"2006","unstructured":"Wright VF, Jutai JW. Evaluation of the longer-term use of the David hart Walker Orthosis by children with cerebral palsy: a 3-year prospective evaluation. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2006;1(3):155\u201366.","journal-title":"Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol"},{"issue":"3","key":"2401_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"138","DOI":"10.1097\/JPO.0b013e3181b173ec","volume":"21","author":"C Kuenzle","year":"2009","unstructured":"Kuenzle C, Brunner R. The effects of the norsk function-walking orthosis on the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy and severe gait impairment. J Prosthetics Orthotics. 2009;21(3):138\u201344.","journal-title":"J Prosthetics Orthotics"},{"issue":"3","key":"2401_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"380","DOI":"10.1080\/09687599.2012.714259","volume":"28","author":"P McKeever","year":"2013","unstructured":"McKeever P, Rossen BE, Scott H, Robinson-Vincent K, Wright V. The significance of uprightness: parents\u2019 reflections on children\u2019s responses to a hand-free walker for children. Disabily Soc. 2013;28(3):380\u201392.","journal-title":"Disabily Soc"},{"issue":"1","key":"2401_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x","volume":"62","author":"S Elo","year":"2008","unstructured":"Elo S, Kyng\u00e4s H. The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs. 2008;62(1):107\u201315.","journal-title":"J Adv Nurs"},{"issue":"25","key":"2401_CR14","first-page":"1","volume":"4","author":"A O\u2019Cathain","year":"2004","unstructured":"O\u2019Cathain A, Thomas KJ. \u201cAny other comments?\u201d open questions on questionnaires - a bane or a bonus to research? BMC Med Res Methodol. 2004;4(25):1\u20137.","journal-title":"BMC Med Res Methodol"},{"issue":"SUPPL. 450","key":"2401_CR15","first-page":"86","volume":"95","author":"M De Onis","year":"2006","unstructured":"De Onis M. WHO motor development study: windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2006;95(SUPPL. 450):86\u201395.","journal-title":"Acta Paediatr Suppl"},{"key":"2401_CR16","series-title":"Developmental Motor Disorders: A Neuropsychological Perspective. The Guildford Press New York","volume-title":"Implications of movement difficulties for social interaction, physical activity, play and sports","author":"D Larkin","year":"2004","unstructured":"Larkin D, Summers J. Implications of movement difficulties for social interaction, physical activity, play and sports. Developmental Motor Disorders: A Neuropsychological Perspective. The Guildford Press New York. 2004."},{"issue":"3","key":"2401_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"313","DOI":"10.1177\/001440290206800302","volume":"68","author":"SB Barnes","year":"2002","unstructured":"Barnes SB, Whinnery KW. Effects of functional mobility skills training for young students with physical disabilities. Except Child. 2002;68(3):313\u201324.","journal-title":"Except Child"},{"issue":"s4","key":"2401_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-8749.2009.03461.x","volume":"51","author":"SE Koop","year":"2009","unstructured":"Koop SE. Scoliosis in cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2009;51(s4):92\u20138.","journal-title":"Dev Med Child Neurol"},{"issue":"12","key":"2401_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2507","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2017.05.004","volume":"98","author":"AC Balemans","year":"2017","unstructured":"Balemans AC, Bolster EA, Brehm MA, Dallmeijer AJ. Physical strain: a new perspective of walking in cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017;98(12):2507\u201313.","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"issue":"5","key":"2401_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"698","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2214.2009.00968.x","volume":"35","author":"I-C Huang","year":"2009","unstructured":"Huang I-C, Sugden D, Beveridge S. Assistive devices and cerebral palsy: the use of assistive devices at school by children with cerebral palsy. Child Care Health Dev. 2009;35(5):698\u2013708.","journal-title":"Child Care Health Dev"},{"issue":"11","key":"2401_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1495","DOI":"10.2522\/ptj.20060116","volume":"87","author":"EG Fowler","year":"2007","unstructured":"Fowler EG, Kolobe TH, Damiano DL, Thorpe DE, Morgan DW, Brunstrom JE, Coster WJ, Henderson RC, Pitetti KH, Rimmer JH, Rose J, Stevenson RD. Promotion of physical fitness and prevention of secondary conditions for children with cerebral palsy: section on pediatrics research summit proceedings. Phys Ther. 2007;87(11):1495\u2013510.","journal-title":"Phys Ther"},{"issue":"4","key":"2401_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"371","DOI":"10.1080\/1034912X.2010.524417","volume":"57","author":"CJ Barg","year":"2010","unstructured":"Barg CJ, Armstrong BD, Hetz SP, Latimer AE. Physical disability, stigma, and physical activity in children. Int J Disabil Dev Educ. 2010;57(4):371\u201382.","journal-title":"Int J Disabil Dev Educ"},{"issue":"6","key":"2401_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"983","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2011.01.006","volume":"92","author":"IC Eyssen","year":"2011","unstructured":"Eyssen IC, Steultjens MP, Dekker J, Terwee CB. A systematic review of instruments assessing participation: challenges in defining participation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011;92(6):983\u201397.","journal-title":"Arch Phys Med Rehabil"},{"issue":"9","key":"2401_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2864","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2013.06.017","volume":"43","author":"M Badia","year":"2013","unstructured":"Badia M, Longo E, Orgaz MB, G\u00f3mez-Vela M. The influence of participation in leisure activities on quality of life in Spanish children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Res Dev Disabil. 2013;43(9):2864\u201371.","journal-title":"Res Dev Disabil"},{"issue":"1","key":"2401_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-2214.2008.00898.x","volume":"35","author":"I-C Huang","year":"2009","unstructured":"Huang I-C, Sugden D, Beveridge S. Assistive devices and cerebral palsy: factors influencing the use of assistive devices at home by children with cerebral palsy. Child Care Health Dev. 2009;35(1):130\u20139.","journal-title":"Child Care Health Dev"}],"container-title":["BMC Pediatrics"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"http:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]],"date-time":"2020-11-18T04:18:06Z","timestamp":1605673086000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]]},"references-count":25,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2020,12]]}},"alternative-id":["2401"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12887-020-02401-5","relation":{},"ISSN":["1471-2431"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1471-2431","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,18]]},"assertion":[{"value":"24 January 2020","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"22 October 2020","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"18 November 2020","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"Approval for the current research study was granted by Brunel University London Research Ethics Committee (Reference: 7627-A-Jan\/2018\u201310863-1). Completion of the survey indicated consent.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"The participant information sheet made all participants aware that results will be published in a scientific journal.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare that they have no competing interests.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"528"}}