Optimising parent-mediated interventions for rural children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review

Julia Cullenward; Vagner Dos Santos; Michael Curtin

Abstract

Introduction: Parent-mediated interventions (PMI) are effective for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), facilitating treatment in a child’s natural environment. Previous literature has examined and compared outcomes of these interventions. However, the characteristics of effective PMI for children with NDD living in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities have not been identified.
Objectives: This review aimed to identify characteristics of effective PMI for parents of children with NDD residing in RRR communities.
Method: A systematic review was conducted with searches of CINHAL, PsychINFO, Ebscohost Psych and Behavioural collection, SocINDEX and Proquest Allied health and Nursing databases. Key inclusion criteria were (1) original research on a PMI, (2) delivered to children with a NDD (3) residing in RRR communities, and (4) published between January 2013 and March 2024.
Results: The initial search identified 1274 articles, following de-duplication 736 abstracts were screened. Following 144 full-text assessments, 30 articles were included. Characteristics that contributed to effective PMI for children with NDD in RRR communities included i) mixed modalities, ii) flexible delivery schedule, iii) rapport with practitioners, v) delivery in a child’s natural environment vi) reliable internet services and vii) culturally appropriate design.
Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence that professionals, including occupational therapists, can design and deliver effective PMI for children with NDD living in RRR considering the interplay of population contextual factors and intervention characteristics.

Original language	English
Pages	44
Number of pages	1
Publication status	Published - 25 Jun 2025
Event	Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025 - Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide, Australia Duration: 25 Jun 2025 → 27 Jun 2025 https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2025/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14401630/2025/72/S1 (Published abstracts)

Conference

Conference	Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025
Abbreviated title	Collaborate and connect
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Adelaide
Period	25/06/25 → 27/06/25
Other	The occupational therapy profession plays a pivotal role in enhancing the well-being and quality of life for individuals across diverse populations. OTAUS2025 aims to inspire, empower, and unite professionals under the theme "Collaborate and Connect." This theme underscores the importance of fostering collaboration and building meaningful connections within the occupational therapy community, as well as with other healthcare disciplines and stakeholders.
Internet address	https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2025/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14401630/2025/72/S1 (Published abstracts)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

Cite this

@conference{22ecd92370974614bf6474fa004c6e5d,

title = "Optimising parent-mediated interventions for rural children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review",

abstract = "Introduction: Parent-mediated interventions (PMI) are effective for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), facilitating treatment in a child{\textquoteright}s natural environment. Previous literature has examined and compared outcomes of these interventions. However, the characteristics of effective PMI for children with NDD living in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities have not been identified. Objectives: This review aimed to identify characteristics of effective PMI for parents of children with NDD residing in RRR communities. Method: A systematic review was conducted with searches of CINHAL, PsychINFO, Ebscohost Psych and Behavioural collection, SocINDEX and Proquest Allied health and Nursing databases. Key inclusion criteria were (1) original research on a PMI, (2) delivered to children with a NDD (3) residing in RRR communities, and (4) published between January 2013 and March 2024. Results: The initial search identified 1274 articles, following de-duplication 736 abstracts were screened. Following 144 full-text assessments, 30 articles were included. Characteristics that contributed to effective PMI for children with NDD in RRR communities included i) mixed modalities, ii) flexible delivery schedule, iii) rapport with practitioners, v) delivery in a child{\textquoteright}s natural environment vi) reliable internet services and vii) culturally appropriate design. Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence that professionals, including occupational therapists, can design and deliver effective PMI for children with NDD living in RRR considering the interplay of population contextual factors and intervention characteristics. ",

author = "Julia Cullenward and \{Dos Santos\}, Vagner and Michael Curtin",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

day = "25",

language = "English",

pages = "44",

note = "Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025, Collaborate and connect ; Conference date: 25-06-2025 Through 27-06-2025",

url = "https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2025/, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/14401630/2025/72/S1",

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Optimising parent-mediated interventions for rural children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. / Cullenward, Julia; Dos Santos, Vagner ; Curtin, Michael.
2025. 44 Abstract from Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Research output: Other contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

TY - CONF

T1 - Optimising parent-mediated interventions for rural children with neurodevelopmental disorders

T2 - Occupational Therapy Australia 31st National Conference and Exhibition 2025

AU - Cullenward, Julia

AU - Dos Santos, Vagner

AU - Curtin, Michael

PY - 2025/6/25

Y1 - 2025/6/25

N2 - Introduction: Parent-mediated interventions (PMI) are effective for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), facilitating treatment in a child’s natural environment. Previous literature has examined and compared outcomes of these interventions. However, the characteristics of effective PMI for children with NDD living in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities have not been identified. Objectives: This review aimed to identify characteristics of effective PMI for parents of children with NDD residing in RRR communities. Method: A systematic review was conducted with searches of CINHAL, PsychINFO, Ebscohost Psych and Behavioural collection, SocINDEX and Proquest Allied health and Nursing databases. Key inclusion criteria were (1) original research on a PMI, (2) delivered to children with a NDD (3) residing in RRR communities, and (4) published between January 2013 and March 2024. Results: The initial search identified 1274 articles, following de-duplication 736 abstracts were screened. Following 144 full-text assessments, 30 articles were included. Characteristics that contributed to effective PMI for children with NDD in RRR communities included i) mixed modalities, ii) flexible delivery schedule, iii) rapport with practitioners, v) delivery in a child’s natural environment vi) reliable internet services and vii) culturally appropriate design. Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence that professionals, including occupational therapists, can design and deliver effective PMI for children with NDD living in RRR considering the interplay of population contextual factors and intervention characteristics.

AB - Introduction: Parent-mediated interventions (PMI) are effective for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), facilitating treatment in a child’s natural environment. Previous literature has examined and compared outcomes of these interventions. However, the characteristics of effective PMI for children with NDD living in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities have not been identified. Objectives: This review aimed to identify characteristics of effective PMI for parents of children with NDD residing in RRR communities. Method: A systematic review was conducted with searches of CINHAL, PsychINFO, Ebscohost Psych and Behavioural collection, SocINDEX and Proquest Allied health and Nursing databases. Key inclusion criteria were (1) original research on a PMI, (2) delivered to children with a NDD (3) residing in RRR communities, and (4) published between January 2013 and March 2024. Results: The initial search identified 1274 articles, following de-duplication 736 abstracts were screened. Following 144 full-text assessments, 30 articles were included. Characteristics that contributed to effective PMI for children with NDD in RRR communities included i) mixed modalities, ii) flexible delivery schedule, iii) rapport with practitioners, v) delivery in a child’s natural environment vi) reliable internet services and vii) culturally appropriate design. Conclusion: This review provides preliminary evidence that professionals, including occupational therapists, can design and deliver effective PMI for children with NDD living in RRR considering the interplay of population contextual factors and intervention characteristics.

UR - https://www.otausevents.com.au/otaus2025/

M3 - Abstract

SP - 44

Y2 - 25 June 2025 through 27 June 2025

ER -

Optimising parent-mediated interventions for rural children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

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