How do toddlers increase their gait velocity?

This study examines the components of the development of velocity during early walking. Eight children with typical development were followed during their first 5 months of walking experience. Velocity, cadence, and step length were measured.

Effects of prenatal tobacco, alcohol and marijuana exposure on processing speed, visual-motor coordination, and interhemispheric transfer.

Deficits in motor control are often reported in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Less is known about the effects of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE) and prenatal marijuana exposure (PME) on motor coordination, and previous studies have not considered whether PTE, PAE, and PME interact to affect motor control. This study investigated the effects of PTE, PAE, and PME as well as current drug use on speed of processing, visual-motor coordination, and interhemispheric transfer in 16-year-old adolescents.

Identifying 4-month-old infants at risk in community screening.

Purpose: To validate a 2-step infant developmental screening protocol administered by nonphysician health professionals.

Methods: The Parent Concerns Survey and the Meade Movement Checklist (MMCL) were administered during 5 community clinics. Infant scores at 4 months were compared with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and Movement Assessment of Infants at 6 months and to the Ages and Stages Questionnaires at 8 months.

Effects of a neurodevelopmental treatment-based trunk protocol for infants with posture and movement dysfunction.

Purpose: This study was used to evaluate the efficacy of a neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT)-based sequenced trunk activation protocol for change in gross motor function of infants aged 4 to 12 months with posture and movement dysfunction. Infants who received a dynamic co-activation trunk protocol were compared with a control group who received a parent-infant interaction and play protocol.

Method: A repeated measures randomized block design was used.

A precise method for linking neuroanatomy to function after stroke: a pilot study.

Purpose: We examined the hypotheses that a comprehensive method for categorizing specific brain regions impaired by stroke is feasible and that this method may be used to explore associations between specific impaired brain regions and functional outcomes.

Method: Impaired brain regions were identified with neuroanatomical diagrams. Body function outcomes (motor, somatosensory, and cognition) were measured with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and activity outcomes (functional mobility, self-care, and instrumental activities of daily living) were measured with the Performance Assessment of Self-care Skills.

Dynamic interactions between impairment and activity after stroke: examining the utility of decision analysis methods.

Objective: To examine the utility of decision analysis methods for examining the dynamic nature of impairment-activity interactions following stroke.

Design: Decision analyses (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector) of a prospective cohort study.

Setting: Community and institutional settings based on the location of participants three months after stroke.

Developing empirical models to enhance stroke rehabilitation.

Purpose: Models identifying functional indicators most strongly associated with favourable and unfavourable outcomes may bolster evidence to improve stroke rehabilitation assessment and intervention. This study examined the feasibility of decision analysis methods for developing data-driven models that examined associations between specific functional indicators and global disability.

Method: Data were derived from functional assessment of 67 participants 3 months following stroke.