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Changes in Perceived Health of Children with Congenital Heart Disease After Attending a Special Sports Camp

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Abstract

Sports camps for children with cardiac anomalies have existed for many years. However, no formal evaluation of the benefits of attending such camps has been undertaken heretofore. We assessed potential changes in the self-perceived health of children with congenital heart disease who attended a special sports camp. Thirty-one children with cardiac anomalies attended a 3-day multisports camp. Sixteen children, all of whom were 10 years or older, literate, and Dutch- or French-speaking, completed the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-CF87) before and after attending the camp. The scores of the children were compared with those of healthy peers by calculating mean standardized differences. After attendance at the sports camp, the children achieved significant improvements in the self-perception of their physical functioning, role functioning due to emotional problems, role functioning due to behavioral problems, mental health, and general behavior. The children’s self-esteem and general behavior after the camp were significantly better than that of their healthy counterparts. We conclude that children with congenital heart disease who participate in activities at special sports camps may reap benefits in terms of their subjective health status. Although further research is needed, we recommend the participation in sport activities by children with heart defects, and more specifically their participation in sports camps.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the Belgian National Foundation for Research in Pediatric Cardiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/4, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium

    P. Moons

  2. Belgian National Foundation for Research in Pediatric Cardiology, Chemin Droleau 2, Rebecq, B-1430, Belgium

    P. Moons

  3. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint Luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, Brussels, B-1200, Belgium

    C. Barrea, C. Ovaert & T. Sluysmans

  4. Center for Congenital Heart Diseases A. Blancquaert, Ghent University Hospital–University Hospital of Antwerp, De Pintelaan 185, Ghent, B-9000, Belgium

    D. De Wolf & B. Suys

  5. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium

    M. Gewillig & L. Mertens

  6. Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University of Liège at CHR Citadelle, Boulevard du 12ieme de Ligne 1, Liége, Belgium

    M. Massin

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  1. P. Moons
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  2. C. Barrea
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  3. D. De Wolf
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  4. M. Gewillig
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  7. C. Ovaert
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  8. B. Suys
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  9. T. Sluysmans
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Correspondence to P. Moons.

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Moons, P., Barrea, C., De Wolf, D. et al. Changes in Perceived Health of Children with Congenital Heart Disease After Attending a Special Sports Camp. Pediatr Cardiol 27, 67–72 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-005-1021-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-005-1021-5

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