ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the diagnostic groups, evaluation tools, and intervention for improving the physical functionality of children and adolescents with impaired health through a systematic review. Methods: This study searched for other researches published in the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and RISS databases from 2000 to 2014. The keywords were “health impairment children OR chronic illness adolescent” AND “cancer OR diabetes mellitus OR asthma OR juvenile idiopathic arthritis” AND “physical exercise OR physical intervention.” Results: Fifteen studies were used for the data analysis, and the evidence was from levels Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅴ. The subjects suffered from cancer (56.0%), diabetes mellitus (16.7%), asthma (16.7%), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (11.1%). An aerobic training intervention (82.0%) method was most frequently used. The areas of the evaluation were the motor and functional ability (56.0%), quality of life (23.0%), and respiratory function (23.0%). Nine studies (out of 15) showed a positive effect on the physical function of children and adolescents with impaired health. Conclusion: This study presented an evidence-based practice concerning an intervention for improving the physical functionality of children and adolescents with impaired health. Further studies are required to encompass the effectiveness of school-based occupational therapy in children and adolescents with health impairments.