Effect of an Experiential Dysphagia Workshop on Caregivers’ Knowledge, Confidence, Anxiety and Behaviour During Mealtimes

Shyamani Hettiarachchi , Gopi Kitnasamy
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v24i3.73
Submitted: 2020-09-14 07:59:45
Published: 2013-11-06

Purpose: Children with cerebral palsy who have associated feeding difficulties are at risk of aspiration and poor nutrition. This study aimed to measure the changes in knowledge, confidence, anxiety and behaviour among 25 Sri Lankan mothers with responsibility for feeding children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, after they attended an experiential workshop.

Methods: Data collection was done through pre- and post-workshop questionnaires, observations and semi-structured interviews.

Results: There was a significant improvement in reported levels of knowledge and confidence and a decrease in the caregivers’ level of anxiety during mealtimes. The qualitative data analysis indicated changes in participant knowledge, particularly about the signs of aspiration and positioning during mealtimes. Observations showed better adherence to recommendations on communication, bolus size and utensils.

Conclusion: The findings support the utility of experiential training for caregivers, to ensure that children with cerebral palsy are fed safely.

Keywords

cerebral palsy dysphagia caregivers knowledge confidence anxiety Sri Lanka

Authors

Shyamani Hettiarachchi

The author works as a speech and language therapist and dramatherapist in Sri Lanka. She is currently working at the Department of Disability Studies at the Faculty of Medicine in Ragama, Sri Lanka, where she teaches the speech and hearing sciences course.

Gopi Kitnasamy

The author is a Bobath-trained physiotherapist. He is the current President of the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation.

How to Cite

Shyamani Hettiarachchi, Gopi Kitnasamy (2013-11-06). Effect of an Experiential Dysphagia Workshop on Caregivers’ Knowledge, Confidence, Anxiety and Behaviour During Mealtimes. Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, Vol. 24 No. 3 (2013): Autumn, 75-97. https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v24i3.73

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