Physical activity among young children with disabilities: a systematic review protocol

Leigh M Vanderloo; Leah Taylor; Julia Yates; Rebecca Bassett-Gunter; Meagan Stanley; Patricia Tucker

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060140

Physical activity among young children with disabilities: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open. 2022 Aug 16;12(8):e060140. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060140.

Authors

Leigh M Vanderloo¹, Leah Taylor², Julia Yates², Rebecca Bassett-Gunter³, Meagan Stanley⁴, Patricia Tucker^{5

6}

Affiliations

¹ School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada lvande32@uwo.ca.
² Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ Faculty of Health, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Department of Western Libraries, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ School of Occupational Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity in the early years is necessary for setting the foundation for healthy growth and development in later childhood and adolescence. While most published evidence to date focuses on typically developing children, prevalence rates of physical activity among children with disabilities have been less studied. This protocol paper documents the plan of a systematic review, which aims to synthesise the evidence regarding physical activity levels among young children with disabilities.

Methods and analysis: Searches are anticipated to commence in May 2022. Empirical quantitative studies will be considered for inclusion if they present intervention or observational data on non-therapeutic (ie, leisure time) physical activity among children <5.99 years with physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments. Data sources will be retrieved via electronic database searches (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EBSCO Sports Medicine Database (SPORTDiscus), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Elsevier Bibliographic Database (Scopus), Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO), Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE)). Additional strategies to identify relevant studies will include manual searching and citation tracking of included articles. Titles and abstracts of identified studies will be screened for inclusion, followed by full-text reviews. Three independent reviewers will conduct quality appraisal using the Downs and Black checklist. A summary of included studies will describe the study designs, participant and activity characteristics, and outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination: This systematic review involves a secondary analysis of previously published data; therefore, this review does not require ethical approval. The proposed paper will summarise the current evidence base on physical activity levels among young children with a diagnosed disability. The findings from this systematic review will identify gaps to be explored by future research studies and inform future investigations among the paediatric disability population.

Prospero registration number: CRD42021266585.

Keywords: Developmental neurology & neurodisability; PAEDIATRICS; Protocols & guidelines.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Child, Preschool
Disabled Children*
Exercise*
Humans
Systematic Reviews as Topic