Background

The first lockdown during COVID-19 pandemic in France led to an abrupt change in children’s daily lives. For children with physical disabilities and their families, activities were limited, access to healthcare and therapy was disrupted, and family organisation was altered. The objective was to report the impact of the lockdown on daily life activities and well-being of children with physical disabilities as perceived by caregivers.

Methods

Two online national surveys were addressed to the parents of children with physical disabilities (ECHO survey: April 6-May 11, 2020) and without disabilities (E-COPAIN survey: April 24-May 11, 2020), confined at home during the lockdown. A lockdown impact score was calculated from difficulties related to children’s well-being (morale, behaviour and social interaction) and daily life activities (schooling and physical activity), and compared between groups. Data on family environment, parental stress and concerns were collected.

Results

1376 children (9.45±4.78 years, 54% girls) in ECHO survey and 367 children (7.3±4.4 years, 48% girls) in E-COPAIN survey were included. A negative impact of lockdown was found on 81% of children with physical disabilities. Behavioural problems were significantly more frequent (59.5% vs. 47.4%, P<0.005) and parental stress was higher (6.1±3.33 vs. 5.3±3.01, P=.005) in the ECHO group. Associated impairments (OR=1.45 [1.30-1.62], P<.001), parental stress (OR=1.09 [1.06-1.12], P<.001) and continuation of rehabilitation (OR=0.80 [0.72-0.89], P<.001) were determinants of the level of difficulty experienced.

Conclusions

The lockdown had a considerable, negative impact on the daily life of children with disabilities and their families. Guiding policy makers with the essential daily life activities and the services to provide for children with physical disabilities would offer valuable insights to manage such a sanitary crisis and allow to identify the most vulnerable population