Therapist-Designed Adaptive Riding in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Results of a Feasibility Study.

Background: It is debatable whether adaptive riding (AR) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) improves postural control and gross motor development.

Objective: The study aim was to explore the feasibility of an extensive assessment protocol for a randomized controlled trial of therapist-designed adaptive riding (TDAR) in children with CP, with the goals of assessing the effect on child outcomes and evaluating working mechanisms of sitting postural control.

Design: A pretest-posttest group design with 2 baseline measurements was used.

Adaptive seating systems in children with severe cerebral palsy across International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth version domains: a systematic review.

Aim: The aim of this study was to systematically review the effect of adaptive seating systems (AdSSs) in young people less than 19 years of age with severe cerebral palsy (CP), with particular focus on child-related outcomes across all components of the functioning and disability domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Children and Youth version (ICF-CY).

Method: Literature searches of studies published from 1975 to October 2014 were performed. Methodological quality and the risk of bias were analysed using Sackett's level of evidence, the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine guidelines, and Mallen criteria for observational studies.

Children with behavioral problems and motor problems have a worse neurological condition than children with behavioral problems only.

Background: Some evidence suggests that children with specific behavioral problems are at risk for motor problems. It is unclear whether neurological condition plays a role in the propensity of children with behavioral problems to develop motor problems.

Aims: To examine the relation between behavioral problems, motor performance and neurological condition in school-aged children.

Functional outcome at school age of preterm-born children treated with high-dose dexamethasone.

Background: Postnatal dexamethasone (DXM) treatment is associated with adverse motor outcome. It is largely unknown as to what extent functional outcome at school age is affected.

Aims: Our first aim was to determine motor, cognitive, and behavioural outcome at school age of preterm-born children treated with high-dose DXM for pulmonary problems.

Neural correlates of paediatric dysgraphia.

Writing is an important skill that is related both to school performance and to psychosocial outcomes such as the child's self-esteem. Deficits in handwriting performance are frequently encountered in children with developmental coordination disorder. This review focuses on what is known about the neural correlates of atypical handwriting in children.

Neural correlates of developmental coordination disorder.

Aim: To review neuroimaging studies in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) systematically. Because only a few studies addressed this, we broadened our search and included neuroimaging studies in children with perinatal adversities and motor impairment without cerebral palsy.

Method: Two searches were performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science addressing (1) neuroimaging in DCD and (2) neuroimaging in children with perinatal adversities and motor impairment.

GMFM in infancy: age-specific limitations and adaptations.

Purpose: To evaluate longitudinal applicability of the gross motor function measure (GMFM) in infants younger than 2 years.

Methods: Twelve infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy were enrolled between 1 and 9 months corrected age. The children were assessed 4 times during 1 year with the GMFM-66, GMFM-88, and other neuromotor tests.

Health-related physical fitness in Dutch children with developmental coordination disorder.

Objective: To compare components of health-related physical fitness between Dutch children with clinically diagnosed developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and typically developing children (TDC), and to examine associations between motor performance problems and components of health-related fitness in children with DCD.

Methods: A multicenter case-control study was used to compare health-related physical fitness in children with DCD (N = 38; age, 7-12 years; 10 girls and 28 boys) with that in age- and gender-matched TDC. Motor coordination problems (manual dexterity, ball and balance skills) were assessed using the movement assessment battery for children.

Use and functioning of the affected limb in children with unilateral congenital below-elbow deficiency during infancy and preschool age: a longitudinal observational multiple case study.

Background: Children with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency (UCBED) lack a part of an arm, thereby lacking a part of the typical hand function. Little is known on the performance of daily activities in very young children with UCBED, usage of their affected arm with or without prosthesis during play, and neurological condition.

Aim: To explore daily activities, the use of the affected limb with or without prosthesis and neurological condition over time in young children with UCBED.

A systematic evaluation of the effect of thumb opponens splints on hand function in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

Objective: To examine the effects of a neoprene thumb opponens splint on hand function during a self-selected activities of daily living task in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy with thumb-in-palm position of the affected hand.

Design: Systematic evaluation of seven cases using a multiple baseline design across individuals.

Setting: Outpatient clinic.

LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years: effects of a new intervention program in infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy; a randomized controlled trial.

Background: It is widely accepted that infants at risk for cerebral palsy need paediatric physiotherapy. However, there is little evidence for the efficacy of physiotherapeutic intervention. Recently, a new intervention program, COPCA (Coping with and Caring for infants with special needs - a family centered program), was developed.

Limited motor performance and minor neurological dysfunction at school age.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between motor performance and minor neurological dysfunction (MND) at school age.

Methods: Two hundred and fifty-three children (158 boys, 95 girls; mean age 8 years and 7 months) of whom 167 children received mainstream education and 86 children special education were neurologically examined according to Touwen. Special attention was paid to the severity of MND (simple or complex form) and type of dysfunction.

Handwriting, visuomotor integration, and neurological condition at school age.

Aim: the study investigated the relationships between handwriting, visuomotor integration, and neurological condition. We paid particular attention to the presence of minor neurological dysfunction (MND).

Method: participants were 200 children (131 males, 69 females; age range 8-13y) of whom 118 received mainstream education (mean age 10y 5mo, SD 1y 4mo) and 82 special education (mean age 10y 8mo, SD 1y 2mo).

Risk factors for emergence and progression of scoliosis in children with severe cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Aim: Scoliosis is a frequently occurring and serious complication of severe cerebral palsy (CP). This systematic review aims to the assess the risk factors associated with the emergence and progression of scoliosis in children with CP functioning at level IV or V of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Method: Relevant studies conducted from 1966 to March 2009 were identified in Embase, Medline, and Scopus.

Functional outcome at school age of preterm infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction.

Objectives: Our objective was to determine motor, cognitive, and behavioral outcome at school age in preterm children with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction and to identify cerebral risk factors for adverse outcome.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of all preterm infants who were <37 weeks' gestation, had periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, and were admitted between 1995 and 2003. Ultrasound scans were reviewed for characteristics of periventricular hemorrhagic infarction and other cerebral abnormalities.

Early motor repertoire is related to level of self-mobility in children with cerebral palsy at school age.

Aim: To determine the predictive value of the early motor repertoire for the level of self-mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP) at school age.

Method: Video recordings were made at 11 to 17 weeks post-term of 37 preterm infants (20 males, 17 females) who later developed CP. The early motor repertoire was assessed by obtaining a motor optimality score.

Risk factors for adverse outcome in preterm infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction.

Objective: Our objective was to identify risk factors that were associated with mortality and adverse neurologic outcome at 18 months of age in preterm infants with periventricular hemorrhagic infarction.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all preterm infants who were <37 weeks' gestation, had periventricular hemorrhagic infarction, and were admitted between 1995 and 2006. Ultrasound scans were reviewed for grading of germinal matrix hemorrhage, localization and extension of the infarction, and other abnormalities.

Main problems experienced by children with epidermolysis bullosa: a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews.

The objective of this study was to identify and specify the problems of children with epidermolysis bullosa. The questions explored were: (i) What do children with epidermolysis bullosa experience as the most difficult problems; (ii) What is the impact of these problems on their daily life; and (iii) Do these experiences differ between mildly and severely affected children? Qualitative research methodology was used, comprising a series of semi-structured interviews with children with different (sub)types of epidermolysis bullosa. The interviews were analysed systematically with help of the qualitative software package Atlas-ti.

Effect of multilevel botulinum toxin a and comprehensive rehabilitation on gait in cerebral palsy.

To evaluate the effect of multilevel botulinum toxin A and comprehensive rehabilitation on gait pattern, muscle length, and spasticity, a multicenter randomized trial was performed in 46 children with spastic cerebral palsy who walk with flexed knees. Their mean age was 8.0 years (range 4 to 11 years).

The combined effect of lower-limb multilevel botulinum toxin type a and comprehensive rehabilitation on mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the combined effect on mobility of treatment with multilevel botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) and comprehensive rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design: Randomized clinical trial using a multiple baseline design. The intervention group was treated 6 weeks after randomization.

The Come Back Programme: a rehabilitation programme for patients with brain injury with psychosocial problems despite previous rehabilitation.

In 1994 the Come Back Programme (CBP) started in the rehabilitation centre, Groot Klimmendaal, in Arnhem, The Netherlands. The CBP is a rehabilitation programme for (young) adults with brain injury (BI) having problems with their psychosocial functioning despite having undergone a rehabilitation programme previously. The main goal of the CBP is to regain maximal independence in psychosocial functioning.