Parents’ experience of delivering pediatric tuina to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: qualitative findings from focus group interviews

Abstract

Abstract Background Evidence suggests that pediatric tuina, which is a modality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), might have beneficial effects on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Therefore, we designed and conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) on parent-administered pediatric tuina for ADHD in preschool children. This paper reported focus group interview data as a part of a process evaluation embedded with the outcome evaluation of the RCT. To understand the parents’ facilitators and barriers of delivering pediatric tuina to their children with ADHD symptoms. Methods Purposive sampling were employed to invite 15 parents who attended our pediatric tuina training program to voluntarily participate in three focus group interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data was analyzed with template analysis. Results Two themes were identified. Under the theme of the facilitators to the intervention implementation, subthemes included (a) perceived benefits on children and parents, (b) acceptability of children and parents, (c) professional supports, and (d) parents’ expectations on long-term effects of the intervention. Under the theme of the intervention implementation barriers, subthemes included (a) limited benefits on children’s inattention symptoms, (b) manipulation management difficulties, and (c) limitations of TCM pattern identification. Conclusion Parents mainly focused on the health effects and safety of pediatric tuina intervention, especially the effects on children’s sleep quality and appetite. Parents could master and conduct the manipulations well if appropriate support and guidance are provided. Besides, parents need long-term support for persisting this intervention.