Concurrent and predictive validity of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 administered to infants born preterm in Norway.

Background: The correlation between the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 (PDMS-2) has not previously been assessed in Norwegian infants. Our purpose was to investigate the concurrent validity of the AIMS and the PDMS-2 in a group of high-risk infants, and to investigate the predictive validity of the two tests for atypical motor function at 24 months post term age (PTA).

Methods: This is a retrospective study of the AIMS and the PDMS-2 administered to infants born preterm with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks (n = 139) who had participated in a randomized controlled trial of early parent-administered physiotherapy.

Heterogeneity of Tasks and Outcome Measures in Dual Tasking Studies in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review.

Objective: The aims of this scoping review are to examine the available literature regarding dual tasking in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to identify and categorize both the motor and cognitive tasks and outcome measures used primarily through the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model.

Methods: Five electronic databases were searched. Studies were included if they: (1) were published in English; (2) included at least 1 group of children or adolescents with a diagnosis of CP; (3) assessed dual tasking as part of the study; (4) reported the method for performing the dual task; and (5) reported the outcome measures utilized.

Motor control and skill acquisition in pediatric physical therapy: an enactive proposal.

Theories of motor control and skill acquisition strongly influence and guide various fields of clinical practice. In last decades, changes in theoretical frameworks related to the conceptualization of brain plasticity, functional structures within the child, and environment have led to a revision of therapy approaches progressing from therapist-driven to child-initiated approaches. Even though theoretical frameworks and clinical practice are closely linked to the child's body, the profession has paid less attention to theories concerning the body's role and status in interpersonal relationships when fostering motor control and skill acquisition in children.

A systematic synthesis of qualitative studies on parents' experiences of participating in early intervention programs with their infant born preterm.

Early intervention programs involving both the parent and the infant born preterm have demonstrated positive effects on developmental outcomes for the children. However, studies have also shown that parental engagement and adherence when implementing intervention programs can be challenging. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive description and new insights into key messages gleaned from the parent reports on participating in early intervention with their infant born preterm; knowledge vital to facilitate implementation of early interventions into clinical practice when using a model of direct parent involvement.

Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System to detect aspiration risk in children with cerebral palsy: a validation study.

This prospective study has two aims. The first aim is to assess the concurrent validity of the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS) as a means of identifying aspiration risk in children with cerebral palsy by using the Pediatric version of the Eating Assessment Tool (PEDI-EAT-10) as the reference test. The second aim is to investigate the relationship between the aspiration and non-aspiration groups using both the EDACS and the PEDI-EAT-10.

Enactive explorations of children's sensory-motor play and therapeutic handling in physical therapy.

Introduction: In pediatric physical therapy, there is an ongoing debate about the use of therapeutic handling and its potential effects on motor learning. In this study, we build on enactive theoretical perspectives to explore the role of therapeutic handling in connection to children's sensory-motor play, engagement, and performance during a single physical therapy session.

Material And Methods: This is a qualitative study based on video observations of therapy sessions and interviews with 15 physical therapists (PTs) each treating two different children aged 0-3.

The Significance of Touch in Pediatric Physiotherapy.

Change in theoretical framework over the last decades and recent research in pediatric physiotherapy, has created a debate surrounding therapeutic touch. What is the role of or is there a need for handling and hands-on facilitated guidance (facilitation)? Does it limit and/or interfere with children's learning and development? It is frequently argued that therapeutic touch represents a passive and/or static approach that restricts disabled children's participation during interaction and activity in clinical encounters leading to decreased home, school and community participation. Touch may even appear as coercive and controlling.

Two-year motor outcomes associated with the dose of NICU based physical therapy: The Noppi RCT.

Background: Interventions involving both the parent and the preterm infant have demonstrated lasting effects on cognitive outcomes, but motor effects are less salient. It remains unclear when to commence early intervention and if dosages have impact on motor outcomes.

Aims: To examine the effect on motor performance at 24-months corrected age following a parent-administered intervention performed with infants born preterm in the NICU.

Assessing sensory processing differences in children with idiopathic toe walking: A pilot study.

Idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) refers to persistent walking without heel contact for unknown reasons. An underexplored area is the relationship of sensory processing to ITW. This study presents methods to assess sensory differences in individuals with ITW and summarizes results from a pilot testing of the measures.

Can items on the TIMP aide in determining the motor performance of children with severe cerebral palsy? A pilot study.

Background: Assessing the functional level of children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) requires sensitive tools. In this study, an 'assessment tool' was developed based on the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) for this population and the reliability and validity evaluated.

Methods: Five physical therapists administered the 'assessment tool' to six children (3-6 years old with a diagnosis of CP, GMFCS Level V).

Effects of a Parent-Administered Exercise Program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Dose Does Matter-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Despite the risk of delayed motor development in infants born preterm, knowledge about interventions in the neonatal intensive care unitt (NICU) and the effects of dosing is sparse.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to examine the effectiveness of a parent-administered exercise program in the NICU on motor outcome at 3 months corrected age (CA) and the effect of dosing on motor performance.

Design: This was a randomized clinical trial.

Body composition and neuromotor development in the year after NICU discharge in premature infants.

Background: Hypothesis: neuromotor development correlates to body composition over the first year of life in prematurely born infants and can be influenced by enhancing motor activity.

Methods: Forty-six female and 53 male infants [27 ± 1.8 (sd) weeks] randomized to comparison or exercise group (caregiver provided 15-20 min daily of developmentally appropriate motor activities) completed the year-long study.

Maximizing Participation During Walking in Children With Disabilities: Is Response to Unpredictability Important?

Walking ability is one of the primary components of human motor function, and interventions aimed at improving walking ability are common in physical therapy, particularly in children. One element encountered in a participatory, or natural, environment is unpredictability, defined as the presence of an unexpected obstacle, stimulus, or alteration of the environmental conditions. Little research has assessed the influence of unpredictability on biomechanical adaptations to walking in children who are developing typically or children with motor disabilities.

Integrated approaches to physical Therapy education: a new comprehensive model from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Demand for physical therapists in the United States (U.S.) is currently robust and expected to grow further.

Early Parent-Administered Physical Therapy for Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the short-term effect of parent-administered physical therapy in the preterm period on motor performance in medically stable infants.

Methods: This study was a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized controlled trial including 153 infants born at gestational age ≤32 weeks and randomized to an intervention (n = 74) or a control (n = 79) group. The intervention promoted postural control, head control, and midline orientation.

Test-retest reliability of the Test of Infant Motor Performance Screening Items in infants at risk for impaired functional motor performance.

Objective: To examine test-retest reliability of the TIMPSI in infants at risk for impaired functional motor performance.

Methods: The TIMPSI was administered twice to 51 infants from two different hospitals in Norway.

Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.

Study protocol: an early intervention program to improve motor outcome in preterm infants: a randomized controlled trial and a qualitative study of physiotherapy performance and parental experiences.

Background: Knowledge about early physiotherapy to preterm infants is sparse, given the risk of delayed motor development and cerebral palsy.

Methods/design: A pragmatic randomized controlled study has been designed to assess the effect of a preventative physiotherapy program carried out in the neonatal intensive care unit. Moreover, a qualitative study is carried out to assess the physiotherapy performance and parents' experiences with the intervention.

Dance program for physical rehabilitation and participation in children with cerebral palsy.

: This pilot study aimed to examine a classical ballet program created for children with cerebral palsy (CP) as an emerging physical rehabilitation modality. The main program goals were to promote participation and to provide an artistic, physically therapeutic activity. : The study was conducted in collaboration with a tertiary rehabilitation hospital, one outpatient physical therapy clinic, and one community center.

Anticipatory postural adjustments in children with hemiplegia and diplegia.

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) play an important role in the performance of many activities requiring the maintenance of standing posture. However, little is known about if and how children with cerebral palsy (CP) generate APAs. Two groups of children with CP (hemiplegia and diplegia) and a group of children with typical motor development performed arm flexion and extension movements while standing on a force platform.

Health-related fitness in children and adolescents.

Purpose: The American Physical Therapy Association Section on Pediatrics developed a task force to summarize fitness guidelines for children and adolescents. The purposes of this article were to review components, measurement methods, and consequences of physical fitness, and to summarize evidence-based activity recommendations for youth.

Summary Of Key Points: Health-related fitness is comprised of body composition, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and muscular strength and endurance.

Anticipatory postural adjustments in children with typical motor development.

Anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) play an important role in the performance of many activities requiring the maintenance of vertical posture. However, little is known about how children utilize APAs during self-induced postural perturbations. A group of children, aged 7-16 years, with typical motor development, performed various arm movements while standing on a force platform.

Measurement properties of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE).

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE; version 2.0). The SCOPE is an occupation focused, client-centered, theory driven assessment developed out of a practice/academic partnership.