Perceptions of Healthy Lifestyles Among Children With Complex Heart Disease and Their Caregivers.

Background: Children with complex heart problems may be at higher risk for sedentary lifestyle morbidities than their healthy peers. This project examined perceptions, barriers, and supports that influence healthy active lifestyles among children with complex heart problems and their caregivers, to enable effective health and quality-of-life interventions.

Methods: Inductive thematic analysis was conducted of semi-structured guided discussions from 6 focus groups (young child [n = 2]; older child [n = 4]; parents of young child [n = 4]; parents of older child [n = 4]; pediatric cardiologist [n = 5]; pediatric cardiac nurse [n = 5]) and individual interviews with 7 parents, 5 parent/child dyads, 2 adults with complex heart problems, 6 pediatric cardiologists, 3 pediatric cardiac nurses, 4 pediatric cardiology mental health professionals, and 14 recreation professionals.

Developing patient resources to enable the exchange of healthy lifestyle information between clinicians and families of children with complex heart problems.

Background: Healthy active lifestyles are critically important for children with complex heart problems (CHP) that affect heart structure, rhythm or function. They are at increased risk for morbidities such as atherosclerosis, obesity, anxiety and depression. Educating children with CHP and their families about the relevance of healthy lifestyles is an important part of clinical care.

Partnering to increase access to community exercise programs for people with stroke, acquired brain injury, and multiple sclerosis.

Background: The purpose of this article is to describe the development and evaluation of a task-oriented group exercise program, delivered through a municipal recreation program, for community-dwelling people with neurological conditions.

Methods: Physical therapists (PTs) at a rehabilitation hospital partnered with a municipal recreation provider to develop and evaluate a 12-week exercise program for people with stroke, acquired brain injury, and multiple sclerosis at 2 community centers. Fitness instructors who were trained and supported by PTs taught 1-hour exercise classes twice a week.