Wearing a Ball Vest in Everyday Activities: Experiences from Adolescents with Neuropsychiatric Disorders, their Parents and Teachers

Abstract

Background: Children with neuropsychiatric disorders may have a limited participation in everyday activities. It is common that they tend to avoid engaging in activities due to a decreased ability to interpret sensory information. To increase these children's' activity performance ball vests are provided and prescribed as an intervention. The aim of this study was to explore the use of a ball vest in everyday activities from the perspective of adolescents with neuropsychiatric disorders, their parents and teachers.

Method: A qualitative method, where six adolescents with neuropsychiatric disorders, their parents and teachers were interviewed concerning experiences of the adolescents' use of a ball vest for eight weeks. A qualitative content analysis approach was used.

Results: The analysis identified four themes. The adolescents with neuropsychiatric disorders, their parents and teachers portrayed different aspects of the use of the vest which all were mainly positive. The adolescents experienced that their high activity level was influenced by using the ball vest in activities. A slightly delayed calming effect was also described which influenced the adolescents plan when to use of the ball vest during the day.

Conclusion: This study identifies a positive though limited hypothesis regarding how a ball vest can be experienced in relation to everyday activities at home and in the school setting for adolescents with high activity levels and neuropsychiatric disorders.