Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 May 2;14(9):3164.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14093164.

Between Anxiety and Adaptation: Children's and Parents' Experiences with Botulinum Toxin Treatment in Cerebral Palsy

Rannei Sæther  1   2 , Siri Merete Brændvik  3   4 , Ann-Kristin Gunnes Elvrum  3   4
Affiliations

Between Anxiety and Adaptation: Children's and Parents' Experiences with Botulinum Toxin Treatment in Cerebral Palsy

Rannei Sæther et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study explores how children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents experience botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) treatment, focusing on emotional and procedural challenges and communication within the triad of children, parents, and healthcare providers. Methods: This qualitative sub-study was conducted within the WE-study, a randomized controlled trial on BoNT-A effects in children with CP. Semi-structured interviews with 20 parents and 18 children (aged 4-15 years, GMFCS I-II) were thematically analyzed. Results: Three themes were identified: Preparing for the treatment, Being in the moment, and Adapting after treatment. Pre-procedural anxiety was common, with children describing nervousness or physical discomfort in the days before the treatment. During the procedure, pain management and sedation choices influenced children's experiences, with healthcare providers being the primary source of information. After treatment, some children experienced temporary walking instability, but most quickly resumed daily activities. Communication primarily occurred between healthcare providers and each party individually, rather than through a triadic interaction. Conclusions: BoNT-A treatment involves both emotional distress and adaptation. Strengthening child-inclusive communication, structured preparation, and collaboration within the triad may improve treatment experiences and better align care with child-centered principles. Future research should explore strategies to enhance child involvement in repeated treatments.

Keywords: BoNT-A treatment; cerebral palsy; child-centered care; procedural experiences.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Communication within the triad of children, parents, and healthcare providers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Novak I., Morgan C., Fahey M., Finch-Edmondson M., Galea C., Hines A., Langdon K., Namara M.M., Paton M.C., Popat H., et al. State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Curr. Neurol. Neurosci. Rep. 2020;20:3. doi: 10.1007/s11910-020-1022-z. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hollung S.J., Hägglund G., Gaston M.S., Seid A.K., Lydersen S., Alriksson-Schmidt A.I., Andersen G.L. Point prevalence and motor function of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in Scandinavia and Scotland: A CP-North study. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 2021;63:721–728. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14764. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Saether R., Helbostad J.L., Adde L., Brændvik S., Lydersen S., Vik T. Gait characteristics in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy assessed with a trunk-worn accelerometer. Res. Dev. Disabil. 2014;35:1773–1781. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.011. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Nardon M., Ruzzante F., O’Donnell L., Adami A., Dayanidhi S., Bertucco M. Energetics of walking in individuals with cerebral palsy and typical development, across severity and age: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait Posture. 2021;90:388–407. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.09.190. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Puce L., Pallecchi I., Chamari K., Marinelli L., Innocenti T., Pedrini R., Mori L., Trompetto C. Systematic Review of Fatigue in Individuals with Cerebral Palsy. Front. Hum. Neurosci. 2021;15:598800. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.598800. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources