Reliability and Construct Validity of the Japanese Version of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale in Individuals with Cerebral Palsy.

Objective: This study aimed to develop the Japanese version of the Posture and Postural Ability Scale (PPAS) and verify its inter- and intra-rater reliability, construct validity, and internal consistency in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) in Japan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 73 children and adults with CP at all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. The translation procedure was performed by three Japanese physiotherapists and the developer of the original version.

Correlation between pose estimation features regarding movements towards the midline in early infancy.

In infants, spontaneous movement towards the midline (MTM) indicates the initiation of anti-gravity ability development. Markerless 2D pose estimation is a cost-effective, time-efficient, and quantifiable alternative to movement assessment. We aimed to establish correlations between pose estimation features and MTM in early-age infants.

Designing artificial circadian environments with multisensory cares for supporting preterm infants' growth in NICUs.

Previous studies suggest the importance of stable circadian environments for fetuses to achieve sound physiology and intrauterine development. This idea is also supported by epidemiological and animal studies, in which pregnant females exposed to repeated shifting of light-dark cycles had increased rates of reproductive abnormalities and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In response to such findings, artificial circadian environments with light-dark (LD) cycles have been introduced to NICUs to promote better physical development of preterm infants.

Relationship between fidgety movement and frequency of movement toward midline: An observational study.

Background: Infants show other movements and posture patterns during the fidgety movement period, including movement toward midline (MTM). Few studies have quantified MTM occurring during the fidgety movement period.

Aims: This study aimed to examine the relationship between fidgety movements (FMs) and MTM frequency and occurrence rate per minute, from two video data sets (video attached to Prechtl video manual and accuracy data from Japan).

Association between General Movements Assessment and Later Motor Delay (excluding Cerebral Palsy) in Low-Birth-Weight Infants.

The general movements (GMs) assessment is useful for the prediction of cerebral palsy (CP) and other developmental disorders. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is highly prevalent in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. We investigated the association between aberrant GMs during early infancy and later motor development in LBW infants.

Infant's Behaviour Checklist for low birth weight infants and later neurodevelopmental outcome.

Assessment of the characteristics of spontaneous movements and behaviour in early infancy helps in estimating developmental outcomes. We introduced the Infant Behaviour Checklist (IBC) and examined the relationship between the behavioural characteristics of low-birth-weight infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 years of age. The behavioural characteristics during the neonatal (36-43 weeks, adjusted) and early infancy periods (49-60 weeks, adjusted) were assessed in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Postural change for supine position does not disturb toddlers' nap.

This study examined whether forced postural change from prone to supine during toddlers' nap, a preventative measure taken in Japan for sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC), disturbs toddlers' sleep. When the "Back to Sleep" campaign (BSC) was introduced to Japan in 1996, its recommendations were also applied to infants aged 1 year old and over with the expectation that the BSC recommendations may also contribute to a decrease in the occurrence rate of SUDC. Since then, Japanese nurseries have routinely conducted sleeping position checks and positional adjustments of toddlers every 5-10 min during naps.

The shape of disposable diaper affects spontaneous movements of lower limbs in young infants.

This study examined the characteristics of young infants' lower limb spontaneous movements based on differences in shape of diapers. Twenty-seven healthy infants (103 ± 16.3 days old) were enrolled in this study.

Evaluation of Fidgety Movements of Infants Based on Gestalt Perception Reflects Differences in Limb Movement Trajectory Curvature.

Background: Infants aged 2 to 5 months show spontaneous general movements (GMs) of the whole body, which are referred to as fidgety movements (FMs). Although previous studies have shown that evaluation of GMs by the General Movement Assessment (GMA) has predictive value about later neurological impairments, it remains unknown whether raters consistently perceive and rate such complex kinematic information.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to construct a method to reveal which movement features are associated with each rater's evaluation of FMs based on the GMA.

Early motor signs of autism spectrum disorder in spontaneous position and movement of the head.

We examined the characteristics of spontaneous movements at 9-20 weeks postterm age in very low birth-weight infants who later developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We analyzed video recordings of spontaneous movements of 39 children who had no clinical issues [typically developing (TD) group], 21 children who showed developmental delay, and 14 children who were diagnosed with ASD (ASD group) at 6 years of age. Head position in each video frame was classified by visual inspection.

Developmental changes in intralimb coordination during spontaneous movements of human infants from 2 to 3 months of age.

Human infants show a variety of spontaneous movements in the first few months of life. Although the pattern of spontaneous movements changes at approximately 2 months of age, the precise mechanism that governs the developmental changes in intralimb coordination remains unclear. In the present study, we focused on knee-ankle coordination during spontaneous movements of human infants from 2 to 3 months of age.

A dynamical system analysis of the development of spontaneous lower extremity movements in newborn and young infants.

This study's aim was to evaluate the characteristics of newborn and young infants' spontaneous lower extremity movements by using dynamical systems analysis. Participants were 8 healthy full-term newborn infants (3 boys, 5 girls, mean birth weight and gestational age were 3070.6 g and 39 weeks).

[The developmental characteristics of spontaneous movement in healthy infants].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of development of spontaneous movements in infants using dynamical systems analysis. The participants were 7 healthy, full-term, newborn infants. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to measure limb acceleration in three-dimensional space.

Neonatal behavioural profile and crying in premature infants at term age.

Aim: To analyse behavioural characteristics of infants who cried more versus those who cried less, in a sample of low-risk premature infants.

Methods: Participants were 63 low-risk healthy premature infants. At term age, the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) was administered, and a 1-d diary for crying was recorded starting on the following day.