Factors that influence the participation of parents in the oral rehabilitation process of children with cochlear implants: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To identify and analyze factors that influence the participation of parents in the rehabilitation process of children with cochlear implants (CI).

RESEARCH STRATEGY: Question formulation and articles selection in three databases using the following keywords: cochlear implant (implante coclear) and parents (pais).

SELECTION CRITERIA: Complete original articles published in Brazilian Portuguese or English, with direct participation of parents of children with CI.

DATA ANALYSIS: Articles were fully read. Data regarding characterization of the centers, research methodology and content were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles were selected based on the established criteria. The types of studies were cross-sectional and case-control (interview technique). The following influential factors were identified: pre-CI surgery factors (knowledge about CI, quality and quantity of information, specialist's advices, ethical and biomedical aspects, rehabilitation engagement, contact with experienced families, social service support and overall costs); rehabilitation aspects (CI use, oral communication modality, regular school, other disabilities, social and demographic aspects and rehabilitation program's effectiveness); other important influential processes (communication modality, auditory and language development, second oral language learning, as well as parent's behavior and satisfaction).

CONCLUSION

The engagement of parents in the rehabilitation process of children with CI depends on several distinct influential factors which audiologists should understand and consider when elaborating a rehabilitation program.