Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether children/adolescents with unilateral congenital
below elbow deficiency experience activity or participation limitations and how
they deal with those limitations. METHODS: A qualitative study using online focus
group interviews was held with 42 children/adolescents (in 3 age groups: 8-12,
13-16, and 17-20 years), 17 parents and 19 health professionals. Questions were
posted concerning activities, participation, prosthetic use, psychosocial
functioning, and rehabilitation care. This study concerns the first two topics;
activities and participation. RESULTS: Children/adolescents experienced only a
few limitations, and there were no activities or participation situations that
were impossible. The limitations experienced could be attributed mainly to
environmental factors, e.g. people who lack knowledge of the child's capacities.
Those factors were particularly decisive in transition phases.
Children/adolescents and parents described numerous strategies applied to deal
with the deficiency. Professionals described fewer strategies and emphasized the
use of adaptive devices and prostheses more than other participants did.
CONCLUSION: Having unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency did not interfere
with any activity, but not all children/adolescents had the ability to perform
all activities. The strategies described by children/adolescents in managing
their deficiency should be integrated into healthcare by providing realistic
education about the various creative solutions and possibilities of adaptive
devices and prostheses, and should be combined with specific training.

Langue : ANGLAIS