Disclosures: Julia Shah, MD: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective: Children with Spina Bifida (SB) have multiple comorbidities which impact their mobility, family and peer interactions, and quality of life (QOL). Adaptive sports (AS), which accommodate various types of physical limitations, are a great opportunity for children with SB to become more active and independent, and may lead to improved QOL. However, the potential benefit of AS on QOL in children with SB is understudied. The objective of this study is to gauge interest in AS participation and to identify perceived benefits and barriers that affect AS participation in children with SB.

Design: Ongoing Cross-Sectional StudySetting : Monthly Multidisciplinary Myelomeningocele Clinic (serves approximately 60-80 children with SB annually)Participants : Children ages 5-18 with diagnosis of SB

Interventions: n/a

Main Outcome Measures: A one-time survey gathers information on Health History, Demographics, and AS including a series of multiple choice and free-response questions about current AS participation, desire to participate in AS, and potential barriers/facilitators to AS participation.

Results: As of Feb 12, 2021, 1 boy, age 5 and 2 girls, age 6 with SB have completed the survey. Preliminary data shows that all would participate in AS if offered. All identified “cost,” and “time,” as factors that make it difficult to participate in AS. All identified “Making new friends,” “Being happy,” “Having fun,” and “Staying healthy,” as perceived benefits of participation.Conclusions: This preliminary data suggests a willingness to participate in AS if offered. Further, we are beginning to identify barriers and facilitators to AS participation which may enhance QOL in children with SB (i.e “making new friends.”). This study anticipates enrolling 60 children with SB, to continue to identify barriers/facilitators and to examine the relationship between AS participation with QOL. While further data collection is needed, this research may help inform federal or state level funding for AS programs for the benefit and health of children with SB.

Level of Evidence: Level IV

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/adaptive-sports-participation-among-children-with-spina-bifida-a-preliminary-report-exploring-facilitators-and-barriers/