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Perception of Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients with Pacemakers
Sena Teber1, Haluk Tekerlek2, Ilker Ertuğrul3, Naciye Vardar-yağlı4, Tevfik Karagöz3, Melda Sağlam41Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Health Sciences, İstanbul, Türkiye2Depatment of Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Faculty of Health Sciences, Karaman, Türkiye
3Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
4Department of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: Despite improvements in pacemakers (PM), quality of life and expectations and barriers of physical activity (PA) of children remains understudied. This study aim to compare quality of life and expectations and barriers of PA with healthy controls and the relationship between these parameters in children with PM.
METHODS: Pediatric patients with arrhythmia aged between 7 and 18 years, with stable clinical conditions and PM implantation for over 1 year, were included in the study. The study comprised 31 patients with pacemaker (16 females, 15 males; mean age: 13.25±3.63 years) and 31 healthy controls matched by age and gender (16 females, 15 males; mean age: 12.09±1.85 years). The pediatric quality of life ınventory questionnaire was used to assess quality of life. PA Outcome Expectancies, PA Barriers Scale, and PA Home Environment Scale were assessed for PA perception.
RESULTS: The PM and control groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and body mass index (p>0.05). Children with PM had significantly lower positive expectations scores and significantly higher negative expectations scores regarding PA than their healthy peers (p<0.05). Environmental barriers identified by parents of children with PM were significantly lower than those in the healthy group (p<0.05). Physical health scores were significantly lower in the pacemaker group than in the control group, and also parents (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between quality of life scores (total and physical health) and negative expectations from PA (p<0.05). Conversely, total quality of life and physical health scores showed a strong positive correlation with perceived family support for PA (p<0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the significant role of PA perceptions in the quality of life of pediatric pacemaker patients. Addressing negative expectations and enhancing family support are crucial strategies for promoting PA and improving quality of life in this population.
Manuscript Language: English