How do paediatric physical therapists teach motor skills to children with Developmental Coordination Disorder? An interview study.

Background: When teaching motor skills, paediatric physical therapists (PPTs) use various motor learning strategies (MLSs), adapting these to suit the individual child and the task being practised. Knowledge about the clinical decision-making process of PPTs in choosing and adapting MLSs when treating children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is currently lacking. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore PPTs' use of MLSs when teaching motor skills to children with DCD.

Experts' perspectives on how to promote implicit and explicit motor learning in children: A mixed-methods study.

Background: Little is known about how motor learning strategies (MLSs) can promote implicit and explicit motor learning processes. This study aimed to explore experts' perspectives on therapists' use of MLSs to promote specific learning processes in children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Methods: In this mixed-methods study, two consecutive digital questionnaires were used to ascertain the opinions of international experts.

Therapists' Use of Instructions and Feedback in Motor Learning Interventions in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Video Observation Study.

Aim: This qualitative study explored therapists' use of instructions and feedback when teaching motor tasks to children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) as a first step in developing practical recommendations.

Methods: A conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze videotaped treatment sessions of physical therapists using a newly developed analysis plan. Inductive coding was used to code purposively selected video segments.

Efficacy of a Task-Oriented Intervention for Children with a Dual Diagnosis of Specific Learning Disabilities and Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Background: Task-oriented approaches are recommended for children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) to address deficits in motor performance and reduce activity limitations. Although this approach is used in several settings, the efficacy of these approaches in children with in dual-diagnosis of specific learning disabilities (SLD) and DCD is less widely known. This study aims to determine the effect of a group-based intervention based on neuromotor task training (NTT) principles on the motor performance of children aged 6-10 years with SLD/DCD.

The Effect of Bimanual Intensive Functional Training on Somatosensory Hand Function in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: An Observational Study.

(1) Background: Next to motor impairments, children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) often experience sensory impairments. Intensive bimanual training is well known for improving motor abilities, though its effect on sensory impairments is less known. (2) Objective: To investigate whether bimanual intensive functional therapy without using enriched sensory materials improves somatosensory hand function.

How can instructions and feedback with external focus be shaped to enhance motor learning in children? A systematic review.

Aim: This systematic review investigates the effectiveness of instructions and feedback with external focus applied with reduced frequency, self-controlled timing and/or in visual or auditory form, on the performance of functional gross motor tasks in children aged 2 to 18 with typical or atypical development.

Methods: Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase) were systematically searched (last updated May 31st 2021). Inclusion criteria were: 1.

Process Evaluation of Home-based Bimanual Training in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (The COAD-study): A Mixed Methods Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the processes and factors that influenced implementation and impact of a home-based bimanual training program in children with unilateral cerebral palsy aged 2 through 7 years.

Methods: The program encompassed bimanual task-specific training (3.5 hours/week for 12 weeks) adopting either implicit or explicit motor learning.

Effect of Home-based Bimanual Training in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (The COAD-study): A Case Series.

: To explore the child- and parent-related effects of home-based bimanual training in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.: Case series of 14 children (2-7 years) who completed goal-oriented task-specific training for 3.5 hours/week for 12 weeks by a program adopting implicit (n = 5) or explicit (n = 9) motor learning.

Improvements in Muscle Strength Are Associated With Improvements in Walking Capacity in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Secondary Analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate whether changes in lower-limb muscle strength explain changes in walking capacity during 14-week periods of usual care, power training and follow-up for children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a previously conducted double-baseline controlled trial of 22 children with spastic cerebral palsy. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the relationships between within-subject changes in isometric muscle strength and walking capacity over 3 periods.

Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Bilateral Problem?

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether muscle strength in the nonaffected and affected upper extremities (UEs) in children (7-12 years) with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) differs from that in children with typical development (TD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Isometric arm strength (wrist flexion, wrist extension with flexed and extended fingers, elbow flexion/extension) was assessed in 72 children (mean age = 9.

Physical therapy treatment in children with cerebral palsy after single-event multilevel surgery: a qualitative systematic review. A first step towards a clinical guideline for physical therapy after single-event multilevel surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to review available evidence for physical therapy treatment (PTT) after single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS), and to realize a first step towards an accurate and clinical guideline for developing effective PTT for children with cerebral palsy (CP) after SEMLS.

Methods: A qualitative systematic review (PubMed, Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library) investigating a program of PTT after SEMLS in children aged 4-18 years with CP classified by Gross Motor Function Classification System level I-III.

Results: Six articles meeting the inclusion criteria were selected.

Barriers to recruitment of children with cerebral palsy in a trial of home-based training.

Many trials fail to include the targeted number of participants, causing scientific and ethical problems. The COAD trial of home-based training programs (HBTPs) for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) encountered recruitment problems, even though the parent-delivered home-based approach complies with recent health-care developments in the Netherlands. The current project aimed to identify the barriers to recruitment in the COAD trial.

Psychometric Evaluation of 2 New Upper Extremity Functional Strength Tests in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Background: For children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP), reduced muscle strength can lead to activity limitations. However, none of the existing measures of upper extremity strength measure strength in the context of functional activities in which strength must be maintained for several seconds.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of 2 newly developed functional hand and upper extremity muscle-strength tests (Cup-Task and Box-Task) in children aged 7 to 12 years with USCP.

The relationship between motor abilities and quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities.

Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between motor abilities and quality of life in children with severe multiple disabilities.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, motor abilities of 29 children (mean age 9.8 years; 45% girls) with severe multiple disabilities [IQ < 25; Gross Motor Function Motor Classification System level V] were measured with the MOtor eVAluation in Kids with Intellectual and Complex disabilities (Movakic) questionnaire (completed by the child's physical therapist).

Effectiveness of Functional Power Training on Walking Ability in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy: Study Protocol of a Double-Baseline Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of functional high-velocity resistance (power) training to improve walking ability of young children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: Twenty-two children with bi- or unilateral spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II, aged 4 to 10 years will be recruited. A double-baseline design will be used to compare a 14-week functional power training (3 times a week) program with a 14-week usual care period and a 14-week follow-up period.

Does intensive upper limb treatment modality Hybrid Constrained Induced Movement Therapy (H-CIMT) improve grip and pinch strength or fatigability of the affected hand?

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Hybrid-Constrained Induced Movement Therapy (H-CIMT), defined as CIMT combined with Bimanual Intensive Movement Therapy (BIMT), on grip and pinch strength and fatigability we measured grip and pinch strength and fatigability during clinical H-CIMT.

Methods: The children participated in a H-CIMT model organized in a therapeutic summer-camp. Children received 90 hours of intensive treatment.

Gross motor function in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy and Cerebral Visual Impairment: A comparison between outcomes of the original and the Cerebral Visual Impairment adapted Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88-CVI).

Purpose: To investigate whether the adapted version of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) results in higher scores. This is most likely to be a reflection of their gross motor function, however it may be the result of a better comprehension of the instruction of the adapted version.

Method: The scores of the original and adapted GMFM-88 were compared in the same group of children (n=21 boys and n=16 girls), mean (SD) age 113 (30) months with CP and CVI, within a time span of two weeks.

Construct validity and responsiveness of Movakic: An instrument for the evaluation of motor abilities in children with severe multiple disabilities.

Movakic is a newly developed instrument for measurement of motor abilities in children with severe multiple disabilities, with a satisfactory feasibility and content validity and good inter-observer and test-retest reliability. The objective of this study was to investigate its construct validity and responsiveness to change. Sixty children with severe multiple disabilities (mean age 7.

Development and face validity of a cerebral visual impairment motor questionnaire for children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: The objectives of this study were (i) to develop two cerebral visual impairment motor questionnaires (CVI-MQ's) for children with cerebral palsy (CP): one for children with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I, II and III and one for children with GMFCS levels IV and V; (ii) to describe their face validity and usability; and (iii) to determine their sensitivity and specificity.

Backgrounds: The initial versions of the two CVI-MQ's were developed based on literature. Subsequently, the Delphi method was used in two groups of experts, one familiar with CVI and one not familiar with CVI, in order to gain consensus about face validity and usability.

Lower Extremity Handheld Dynamometry Strength Measurement in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evidence on reliability of handheld dynamometry protocols to quantify maximal isometric strength of the muscles of the lower extremities of children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: A systematic search of Cochrane, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed up to December 2013 and best-evidence synthesis were performed.

Results: Seven eligible studies were identified.

Instruments for the evaluation of motor abilities for children with severe multiple disabilities: A systematic review of the literature.

Based on a systematic review, psychometric characteristics of currently available instruments on motor abilities of children with disabilities were evaluated, with the aim to identify candidates for use in children with severe multiple (intellectual and motor) disabilities. In addition, motor abilities are essential for independent functioning, but are severely compromised in these children. The methodological quality of all studies was evaluated with the Consensus Based Standards for the Selection of Health Status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) Checklist; overall levels of evidence per instrument were based on the Cochrane Back Review Group strategy.

Reliability of the modified Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) for children with both Spastic Cerebral Palsy and Cerebral Visual Impairment: A preliminary study.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to adapt the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) and to determine the test-retest and interobserver reliability of the adapted version.

Method: Sixteen paediatric physical therapists familiar with CVI participated in the adaptation process. The Delphi method was used to gain consensus among a panel of experts.

Reliability of the modified Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Dutch version (PEDI-NL) for children with cerebral palsy and cerebral visual impairment.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to adapt the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Dutch version (PEDI-NL) for children with cerebral visual impairment (CVI) and cerebral palsy (CP) and determine test-retest and inter-respondent reliability.

Method: The Delphi method was used to gain consensus among twenty-one health experts familiar with CVI. Test-retest and inter-respondent reliability were assessed for parents and caregivers of 75 children (aged 50-144 months) with CP and CVI.

Efficacy of upper limb strengthening in children with Cerebral Palsy: A critical review.

Objective: This review focuses on the effects of strengthening interventions of the upper limb in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The strengthening intervention studies were divided in two categories: those based on stand-alone strength training, and those on strength training combined with other interventions.

Data Sources And Extraction: A search in all relevant databases was performed.

Walking capacity of children with clubfeet in primary school: something to worry about?

Although the main aim of clubfoot correction is to create a foot without limitations in daily activities and sport, studies on the walking capacity of children with corrected clubfeet are rare. In this cross-sectional study, the outcome of the six-minute walking test in 44 children with clubfeet (16 unilateral and 28 bilateral, mean age 8.57±2.