Publications by authors named "Andrea Baraldi Cunha"

The virus infection severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy is a risk factor for developmental problems. Our objectives were to explore feasibility measures and verify the reliability of synchronously employing the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) remotely in infants with prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we explored the motor performance of these infants relative to an unexposed normative sample.

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Purpose: This study tested whether the Sitting Together and Reaching to Play (START-Play) physical therapy intervention indirectly impacts cognition through changes in perceptual-motor skills in infants with motor delays.

Methods: Participants were 50 infants with motor delays randomly assigned to START-Play plus Usual Care Early Intervention (UC-EI) or UC-EI only. Infants' perceptual-motor and cognitive skills were assessed at baseline and 1.

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The aims of the study were to 1) verify the level of trunk control longitudinally and reaching behavior while sitting in two positions in late preterm (LPT) and full-term (FT) infants, 2) determine whether the level of trunk control relates to reaching outcomes. Twenty LPT infants and 36 infants born FT were assessed via three in-lab visits: at 6, 7, and 8 months. At each visit, the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and reaching assessment were performed, where the infants were positioned sitting in the ring and at 90° of flexion of hips, knees, and ankles.

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Importance: Children with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita are often delayed in their development of reaching and object exploration, which can place them at risk for associated delays in motor and cognitive development.

Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal assistive and rehabilitative effects of the Playskin Lift™ (hereinafter Playskin), a novel exoskeletal garment, on reaching and object exploration abilities in children with arthrogryposis.

Design: Single-case ABA design with a 1-mo baseline, 4-mo intervention, and 1-mo postintervention.

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Purpose: To evaluate validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the novel Means-End Problem-Solving Assessment Tool (MEPSAT).

Methods: Children with typical development and those with motor delay were assessed throughout the first 2 years of life using the MEPSAT. MEPSAT scores were validated against the cognitive and motor subscales of the Bayley Scales of Development.

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Objective: To assess the convergent validity and reliability of joint angle measurements from a new video goniometer iPhone/iPad application separately in adults, older and young children.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Child care and university environments.

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Self-feeding is a critical self-care skill that unites motor abilities (e.g., grasping and transporting utensils/food to the mouth) and cognitive abilities (e.

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Behaviors and performance of 23 typically developing infants were assessed longitudinally at 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months in two means-end tasks: pulling a towel or rotating a turntable to obtain a supported object. With age, infants performed more goal-directed behaviors, leading to increased problem-solving success. Intentionality emerged earlier in the towel task than in the turntable task (6.

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Purpose: To determine the feasibility of completing a randomized clinical trial of motor affordance program at home for infants living in poverty.

Methods: Fourteen infants living in poverty were randomized assigned to groups: intervention at 1st month (G-1), and at 2nd month (G-2). They were assessed into 3 visits: Visit 1 (baseline), Visit 2 (after 4 weeks), and Visit 3 (after 8 weeks).

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Preterm infants are at risk for delays in motor, perceptual, and cognitive development. While research has shown preterm infants may exhibit learning delays in the first months of life, these delays are commonly under-diagnosed. The purpose of this study was to longitudinally evaluate behavioral performance and learning in two means-end problem-solving tasks for 30 infants born preterm (PT) and 23 born full-term (FT).

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Background And Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe single-case studies and contrast them with case studies and randomized clinical trials. We highlight current research designs, analysis techniques, and quality appraisal tools relevant for single-case rehabilitation research.

Summary Of Key Points: Single-case studies can provide a viable alternative to large group studies such as randomized clinical trials.

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Background: The elastic therapeutic taping has been considered a promising resource for disabled children.

Objective: To systematically review the evidence of the effects of elastic therapeutic taping on motor function in children with motor impairments.

Method: Three independent evaluators conducted searches in electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, BIREME/BVS, Science Direct, SciELO, and PEDro).

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At 3 months of age, reaching behavior was measured in a group of 10 girls and 10 boys born at term. The assessments were carried out on the average 2 days after reaching onset. Reaching kinematics was measured in both supine and reclined positions.

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The purpose of this study was to test the effect of short-term training on reaching behavior in infants at the onset of reaching. The study was a single-blind, parallel group design, randomized controlled clinical trial. Thirty healthy infants were randomly assigned to a social control group (n = 15) or a reaching training group (n = 15).

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Background: Object exploration behaviors form the foundation for future global development, but little is known about how these behaviors are exhibited by infants born preterm.

Objective: The study objective was to longitudinally compare a comprehensive set of object exploration behaviors in infants born preterm and infants born full-term from infancy into toddlerhood.

Design: Twenty-two infants born full-term and 28 infants born preterm were monitored as they interacted with objects throughout their first 2 years.

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This study compared the effects of a short bout of practice on reaching behavior between late preterm and full-term infants at the onset of goal-directed reaching. Twelve late preterm infants and twelve full-term infants received reaching practice based on a serial schedule. Late preterm and full-term infants were assessed in 3.

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The aim of this systematic literature review was to examine and discuss studies that investigated reaching in preterm infants during the first year of life. Databases were searched using keywords such as reaching, grasping, preterm, and premature, in addition to specific terms from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) (motor skills, infant, movement, premature birth, hands) regardless of year of publication. One hundred thirty-five studies were identified, 9 of which were selected.

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The objectives of this study were to verify the influence of a short-duration training session on proximal and distal adjustments at the onset of goal-directed reaching and to verify whether these adjustments change in specificity with the body position trained. Twenty-four infants aged 3-4 months were assessed in supine and reclined during pre and posttraining conditions. During the interval (4 min), 8 infants received reaching training in supine, 8 infants received reaching training in reclined, and 8 infants received no training.

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The study of heart rate variability is an important tool for a noninvasive evaluation of the neurocardiac integrity. The present study aims to evaluate the autonomic heart rate modulation in supine and standing positions in 12 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy and 16 children with typical motor development (control group), as well as to relate the level of motor impairment in children with cerebral palsy, as classified by to the Gross Motor Function Classification System, to the heart rate variability indices. The heart rate variability was analyzed by linear model in the frequency domain, at low and high frequency bands in normalized units and low and high frequency ratio.

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