The effect of structured supportive approach based on Kolcaba's comfort theory applied to parents of children with cerebral palsy on child’s comfort, quality of life, and parent’s self-efficacy: A randomised controlled trial

Aim This study aims to assess how a structured supportive approach applied to the parents of children living with cerebral palsy according to how the Theory of Comfort affects the child's comfort, quality of life, and parent's self-efficacy. Design A single-blind, randomised, controlled experimental trial. Methods The study was conducted with parents of children with cerebral palsy aged between 8 and 16 years who presented to the rehabilitation centers between October 2021 and November 2022. The sample consisted of a total of 73 parents from the experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 38) groups. While a care programme based on the Theory of Comfort was applied to the intervention group, the practises included in the routines of the centres were applied to the control group. The researcher collected data using the Comfort Behaviours Checklist (CBCL), the Parent Form of the Quality-of-Life Scale for Children (QoLC), and the Self-Efficacy Scale. Results The children in the intervention group had significantly higher CBCL and QoLC mean scores and the parents in the intervention group had significantly higher self-efficacy mean scores of parents when compared to the control group. Conclusions The structured supportive approach based on the Theory of Comfort enhanced children's comfort and quality of life and increased parents' self-efficacy. Relevance to clinical practice It is recommended to implement the structured supportive approach applied according to the Theory of Comfort with the parents of children with cerebral palsy in special training and rehabilitation centres. Paediatric nurses can perform preventive and rehabilitative nursing management with a holistic approach to meet the needs of children with cerebral palsy and their families.