Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy

Selina Limmen; Dorinde L Korteling; Manon A T Bloemen; Michiel A J Luijten; Raoul H H Engelbert; Eugene A A Rameckers; Hedy A van Oers; Lotte Haverman; Marjolijn Ketelaar

doi:10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304

Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy

Selina Limmen
, Dorinde L Korteling
, Manon A T Bloemen
, Michiel A J Luijten
, Raoul H H Engelbert
, Eugene A A Rameckers
, Hedy A van Oers
, Lotte Haverman^*
, Marjolijn Ketelaar

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: To develop a core set of relevant patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and corresponding measures (PROMs) for pediatric physical therapy, suitable for daily practice, research, and quality assessment.

METHODS: The research group defined the core set's scope. Relevant PROs were identified through focus groups and interviews with adolescents, parents, and pediatric physical therapists, and supplemented by a scoping review. Findings were assessed by an expert panel. PROs were prioritized via a survey among pediatric physical therapists and selected for the core set. Valid PROMs were selected for each PRO.

RESULTS: Nine PROs were selected, grouped into 3 domains: functioning (physical functioning, participation, social functioning), symptoms (pain and fatigue intensity/interference), and overarching (quality of life, perceived overall health). Suitable PROMs were identified for all except "participation."

CONCLUSIONS: A core PRO(M) set for pediatric physical therapy is presented, with recommendations for use and implementation. Further research should develop a feasible generic PROM for participation.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	364-373
Number of pages	10
Journal	Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
Volume	38
Issue number	3
Early online date	6 Jul 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304
Publication status	Published - Jul 2026

Keywords

patient-centered care
patient-centered research
patient-reported outcome measures
pediatric physical therapy
pediatric rehabilitation
quality of life

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development-of-a-core-patient-reported-outcome-measures-setFinal published version, 1.16 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Limmen, S., Korteling, D. L., Bloemen, M. A. T., Luijten, M. A. J., Engelbert, R. H. H., Rameckers, E. A. A., van Oers, H. A., Haverman, L., & Ketelaar, M. (2026). Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy. Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, 38(3), 364-373. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304

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keywords = "patient-centered care, patient-centered research, patient-reported outcome measures, pediatric physical therapy, pediatric rehabilitation, quality of life",

author = "Selina Limmen and Korteling, \{Dorinde L\} and Bloemen, \{Manon A T\} and Luijten, \{Michiel A J\} and Engelbert, \{Raoul H H\} and Rameckers, \{Eugene A A\} and \{van Oers\}, \{Hedy A\} and Lotte Haverman and Marjolijn Ketelaar",

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year = "2026",

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doi = "10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304",

language = "English",

volume = "38",

pages = "364--373",

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Limmen, S, Korteling, DL, Bloemen, MAT, Luijten, MAJ, Engelbert, RHH, Rameckers, EAA, van Oers, HA, Haverman, L & Ketelaar, M 2026, 'Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy', Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 364-373. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304

Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy. / Limmen, Selina; Korteling, Dorinde L; Bloemen, Manon A T et al.
In: Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association, Vol. 38, No. 3, 07.2026, p. 364-373.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy

AU - Limmen, Selina

AU - Korteling, Dorinde L

AU - Bloemen, Manon A T

AU - Luijten, Michiel A J

AU - Engelbert, Raoul H H

AU - Rameckers, Eugene A A

AU - van Oers, Hedy A

AU - Haverman, Lotte

AU - Ketelaar, Marjolijn

PY - 2026/7

Y1 - 2026/7

N2 - PURPOSE: To develop a core set of relevant patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and corresponding measures (PROMs) for pediatric physical therapy, suitable for daily practice, research, and quality assessment.METHODS: The research group defined the core set's scope. Relevant PROs were identified through focus groups and interviews with adolescents, parents, and pediatric physical therapists, and supplemented by a scoping review. Findings were assessed by an expert panel. PROs were prioritized via a survey among pediatric physical therapists and selected for the core set. Valid PROMs were selected for each PRO.RESULTS: Nine PROs were selected, grouped into 3 domains: functioning (physical functioning, participation, social functioning), symptoms (pain and fatigue intensity/interference), and overarching (quality of life, perceived overall health). Suitable PROMs were identified for all except "participation."CONCLUSIONS: A core PRO(M) set for pediatric physical therapy is presented, with recommendations for use and implementation. Further research should develop a feasible generic PROM for participation.

AB - PURPOSE: To develop a core set of relevant patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and corresponding measures (PROMs) for pediatric physical therapy, suitable for daily practice, research, and quality assessment.METHODS: The research group defined the core set's scope. Relevant PROs were identified through focus groups and interviews with adolescents, parents, and pediatric physical therapists, and supplemented by a scoping review. Findings were assessed by an expert panel. PROs were prioritized via a survey among pediatric physical therapists and selected for the core set. Valid PROMs were selected for each PRO.RESULTS: Nine PROs were selected, grouped into 3 domains: functioning (physical functioning, participation, social functioning), symptoms (pain and fatigue intensity/interference), and overarching (quality of life, perceived overall health). Suitable PROMs were identified for all except "participation."CONCLUSIONS: A core PRO(M) set for pediatric physical therapy is presented, with recommendations for use and implementation. Further research should develop a feasible generic PROM for participation.

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KW - patient-centered research

KW - patient-reported outcome measures

KW - pediatric physical therapy

KW - pediatric rehabilitation

KW - quality of life

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DO - 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304

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SN - 0898-5669

VL - 38

SP - 364

EP - 373

JO - Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association

JF - Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association

IS - 3

ER -

Limmen S, Korteling DL, Bloemen MAT, Luijten MAJ, Engelbert RHH, Rameckers EAA et al. Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy. Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association. 2026 Jul;38(3):364-373. Epub 2026 Jul 6. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000001304

Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy

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