Access, use and satisfaction with physiotherapy services among adults with cerebral palsy living in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Abstract

Purpose: The aims of this study were to describe how and why adults with CP living in the UK and Ireland accessed and used physiotherapy services; to describe the type of physiotherapy accessed and satisfaction with physiotherapy services and to examine the associations between relevant factors. Methods: A cross-sectional semi-structured online survey was employed. Participants were adults with CP aged 18 and above living in the UK and Ireland; able to complete an online questionnaire in English independently or with technical or physical assistance. Data were collected from April 2019 to February 2020. Results: Participants (n¼162) were aged 18–74years. The majority were female (75%) and lived in the UK (83%). Ninety percent of participants reported a need for physiotherapy but only 35% received physiotherapy services. The most common reason for visiting physiotherapy was mobility decline (62%). Satisfaction with the availability and quality of physiotherapy services were 21% and 27%, respectively. Adults with scoliosis and mobility decline were less likely to report that they received the physiotherapy they needed. Conclusion: Adults with CP did not receive the physiotherapy services that they perceived they needed. There is a need to develop physiotherapy services in collaboration with people living with CP. > IMPLICATIONS OF REHABILITATION • Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) needed physiotherapy services, but were not receiving the physiotherapy services that they perceive they needed. • Adults were not satisfied with the availability or quality of physiotherapy services received. • Adults with scoliosis and mobility decline were less likely to report that they received the physiotherapy they needed. • There is a need to develop physiotherapy services from a life-span perspective for adults living with CP.