Social characteristics of children and families involved in Idiopathic Toe-Walking research: a rapid scoping review

<p dir="ltr"><b>Background & justification for review: </b>Idiopathic toe-walking is a common condition affecting children. Persistent toe walking can significantly impact physical and social quality of life. Despite known social determinants for long-term health outcomes, little is currently known about the social characteristics of children and families participating in idiopathic toe-walking research.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Specific objective for review: </b>This rapid scoping review aims to map the social characteristics of children participating in idiopathic toe-walking research.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Search criteria: </b>Characteristics to be examined include age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and neurodiversity. MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, AMED & Embase were searched for quantitative and qualitative studies exploring outcomes or experiences of idiopathic toe-walking interventions. Studies excluded from inclusion were research syntheses, studies focused on children with underlying neurological, neuromuscular conditions or congenital foot deformity or those involving children aged under 2 or over 18 years Studies published in the last 20 years were included.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Study appraisal & synthesis methods: </b>Single-reviewer study selection and data extraction were completed, with 20% independently reviewed. Studies were not appraised for quality in line with rapid scoping review methodology. Age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic position, and neurodiversity of participants in idiopathic toe walking research were analysed using descriptive statistics.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results: </b>We identified 2416 titles and 52 texts were included in the final review. The age and sex of participants were reported in most studies. Mean age of participants ranged from 3-13 years and 58% were male. Neurodiversity was reported in only 37% of studies, ethnicity was reported in 6% and socioeconomic status in only 4% texts.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Limitations: </b>In common with many rapid scoping review methods, this review was planned and carried out in a resource-efficient manner. A focus on papers published in the past 20 years, limiting dual approaches to screening and data extraction, and the inclusion of poster and conference abstracts may have led to important study details being omitted.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusions: </b>Future research would benefit from considering both biological and social factors during data collection and reporting to avoid increasing health disparities and inefficiencies.</p>