Support programmes for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: a scoping review protocol

Abstract Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) accounts for a large proportion of childhood disability. The severity of the disability in children with CP necessitates a caregiver. Long-term care for a child with cerebral palsy has detrimental health consequences for the caregiver due to its complex nature. Support programmes for caregivers of children with CP have been recommended as a strategy to assist caregivers to cope, and to mitigate challenges they face while fulfilling their role. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines will be adopted as a methodological framework for this scoping review. The following databases will be searched from inception onwards: PubMed; Medline; Cochrane Library; and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed journal papers will be included if they are written in English; involve caregivers of children with CP; describe support programmes for caregivers of children with CP; and measure the overall quality of life of the caregivers following intervention. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies will be included in order to consider different ways of measuring the effects (physical, psychological and social wellbeing) of support programmes on caregivers of children with CP. Two reviewers will screen all citations and full-text articles. Data abstracted will be organized into themes and sub-themes and summarized, and the results will be reported using a narrative synthesis. The study’s methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using a mixed methods appraisal tool. Discussion: The evidence gathered from the selected studies will be discussed in relation to the research questions using a narrative to identify and explore emerging themes. The review will provide a baseline of evidence on support programmes for caregivers of children with CP. It will highlight strengths, weaknesses, gaps and recommendations from existing support programmes in order to contribute to the design of a holistic support package for caregivers of children with CP.