Childhood Toe-Walking: Parent Survey Brings Physical Therapy Insights

COLORADO, USA– Nancy B Muir PT, DPT, PCS, Physical Therapist, Center for Gait and Movement, Children's Hospital Aurora, Colorado and Marybeth Barkocy PT, DPT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colorado, discuss the clinical insights emerging from their survey of the parents of children diagnosed with idiopathic toe walking published in Pediatric Physical Therapy. Article Title: “Parent Perspectives Regarding Care Delivery for Children With Idiopathic Toe Walking to Inform an American Physical Therapy Association Clinical Practice Guideline” Authors: Marybeth Barkocy, PT, DPT, PCS; Nancy Muir, PT, DPT, PCS; Sally Le Cras, PT, DPT, PCS; Shannon Brausch, PT, DPT; Nicole Hoffman, PT, DPT; Julie Bouck, PT, MPT; Ingrid Hendrix, MILS, AHIP; Cecile Thomas, SPT; Allison Foulk, SPT; Catherine Quatman-Yates, PT, DPT, PhD Department of Orthopedics, Division of Physical Therapy (Dr Barkocy), The University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado (Dr Muir); Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio (Drs LeCras and Brausch); Children’s Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Hoffman); Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah (Ms Julie Bouck); Education, Consultation and Reference Services (Ms Ingrid Hendrix), The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico; The University of New Mexico Student Physical Therapists (Mss Cecile Thomas and Allison Foulk), Albuquerque, New Mexico; Division of Physical Therapy; The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (Dr Quatman-Yates). Purpose: This study summarizes experiences and perceptions of parents whose children received physical therapy for idiopathic toe walking (ITW) to inform clinical practice guideline development and identify perceived strengths and gaps in care. Methods: A US-based survey was distributed to parents of children with ITW. Data from 98 respondents were compiled through descriptive statistics of item responses and review of comments. Results: Parents reported variability in timing of diagnosis and intervention, ITW care, and extent they felt educated and involved in decision making. Rates of confidence, satisfaction, and effectiveness of physical therapy care varied. Conclusions: A parent-informed clinical practice guideline for physical therapy management of ITW and family-friendly supplemental knowledge translation tools could reduce care variability, optimize shared decision making, and increase satisfaction of outcomes. Recommendations for Clinical Practice: Clinicians should be knowledgeable about ITW diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options, educating families and engaging them in shared decision making around ITW care. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2021;000:1–7) Key words: Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG), Idiopathic Toe Walking (ITW), parent survey, shared decision making Reference: Pediatr Phys Ther 2021;000:1–7