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AbstractLegislative changes in the Czech Republic in 2016 created more favorable conditions for inclusive education of learners with acquired brain injury. Due to the scarcity of domestic and international evidence (only three studies) focused on this topic, this study aimed to understand the educational experience of a learner with a heart transplantation followed by acquired brain injury and his mother. The data analysis was conducted using phenomenological methodology by van Manen, along with thematic analysis. Six themes were identified in the mother’s responses and five in the pupil’s. This case study provided valuable insights into potential barriers in inclusive education that hindered the pupil’s learning and led to additional challenges in his social participation. This vulnerable population of students and their families require more protective educational policies, as their experiences may be significantly affected by the ongoing frailty of the pupils’ health.

Objective To explore the characteristics and outcomes of vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) in adults experiencing pain. To give directions for future research and clinical applications of VAT in pain management for adults.Design Scoping review.Data sources BMČ, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, EBM Reviews, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, ERIC, MEDLINE complete, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, hand search in unpublished sources.Study selection All quantitative and qualitative research studies and systematic reviews, without any date or language limit.Data extraction Two independent reviewers extracted data on the study design, location and setting, the causes of pain, participants, vibroacoustic intervention, measurement tools, and key findings related to pain.Results From 430 records, 20 were included for narrative synthesis. Fifteen studies researched chronic pain, two studies acute pain, two studies both types of pain and one study experimentally induced pain. The description of VAT applied in studies usually included the description of research experiments, vibroacoustic devices and frequencies of sinusoidal sound. There was high heterogeneity in study protocols, however, 40 Hz was predominantly used, most sessions ranged between 20 and 45 min, and the frequency of treatment was higher for acute pain (daily) compared with chronic pain (daily to once a week). Outcomes related to pain focused mainly on perceived pain; however, other surrogate measures were also considered, for example, an increased number of treatment days or pain medication usage.Conclusions Research in this area is too sparse to identify properties of VAT that are beneficial for pain management. We suggest VAT researchers describe a minimum of four measurements—frequency, amplitude, pulsation and loudness. Randomised controlled trials are needed to establish reliable scientific proof of VAT effectiveness for both acute and chronic pain. Furthermore, clinical practice would benefit from researching patients’ experiences and preferences of vibroacoustic treatment and its psychosocial components.

Changes in legislation in the Czech Republic in 2016 moved the system of education towards inclusion and created more favorable conditions for joint education, but we still do not have enough information about experiences of learners with cerebral palsy educated in an inclusive environment. A qualitative design was chosen to explore the lived experiences of Czech learners with cerebral palsy educated in inclusive schools. Semi-structured interviews combined with biographical narration of learners with cerebral palsy, aged 12–20, and a brief questionnaire for demographic data were used for data collection. Data analyses were carried out according to van Manen’s approach, including defining the main themes and description of the lived experiences of learners. The following four themes were identified: 1) barriers, 2) strategies for overcoming obstacles, 3) values in relation to peers, 4) and the future. The results of this qualitative study point to a number of obstacles and pressures that these learners face in their education, as well as to the ways of solving some problems. The results indicate that it is important to realize that the consequences of interpersonal relationships significantly influence the formation of self-concept and personality development of these learners, and therefore it is necessary for teaching staff to deal with the support of positive relationships at schools. When creating a supportive inclusive environment, it is also necessary to pay attention to the learners’ future, because the present Czech society does not offer sufficiently inclusive conditions in further education and occupation.

The birth of a child with congenital malformation and serious illness impacts the experiences of all family members and the educational process, but there are only rare descriptions of such cases in the literature. The aim of this study is to understand better the lived experiences of a Czech family who have a child with congenital malformations with a focus on his education in an inclusive environment. The study is based on van Manen’s methodology and autobiographic (or semi-structured) interviews with Karl (19), his mother (46), and his father (49). Data were analyzed for every participant separately: the mother—repeated challenges associated with increasing new health complications, discomfort of son, school support, the future, optimism, and gratefulness; the father—comprehensive support of the son, including all family; Karl—concealment of disability, difficulties associated with disability, participation, school support, relationship with peers, and the future. Based on the results of this case study, for the education of students with congenital malformation and illness, we recommend including parents, healthcare professionals, and school staff in the mutual teamwork; adapting the timetables and spatial arrangements at school; and coordinating the educational process with necessary interventions.

This study describes the case of a student with congenital intestinal perforations and her experience with inclusive education in the Czech Republic. She is also a sister of an identical twin with cerebral palsy. The data were gained from semi-structured interviews and bio-graphical narratives of the student during her studies at the grammar school and from her parents. Van Manen's analyses of lived experiences was used to identify important themes for each participant. The overarching themes present in their narratives concerned Lucy's future and the choice of the most appropriate educational environment. The parents' narratives focused more on barriers to inclusive education, benefits of inclusive environments, medical and educational care and family support based on close cooperation with school. For Lucy, the dominant theme was being a sister with a less severe disability and caretaking of her sister. In addition to enhancing the understanding of different needs of a student with congenital malformations and her parents' experiences with inclusive education, it helped us to explore how the specific sibling's constellation within her family and school contexts impacts her personal perspective on life, driven strongly by a wish for independence.