Health Promotion and Physical Wellness in Pediatric Physical Therapy.

Purpose: A health promotion and physical wellness (HPPW) life course approach for pediatric physical therapy (PT) is recommended to improve children's health outcomes across the lifespan.

Summary Of Key Points: A life course approach describes how a child's individual responses to environmental factors influence health outcomes. Using HPPW strategies, pediatric physical therapists can identify health risks and promote positive outcomes.

Policy brief: adaptive cycling equipment for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities as durable medical equipment.

- Durable medical equipment (DME) policies require that the equipment be medically necessary; however, adaptive cycling equipment (bicycles and tricycles) are usually not deemed medically necessary. - Individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) are at high risk for secondary conditions, both physical and mental, that can be mitigated by increasing physical activity. - Significant financial costs are associated with the management of secondary conditions.

Machine Learning to Quantify Physical Activity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Comparison of Group, Group-Personalized, and Fully-Personalized Activity Classification Models.

Pattern recognition methodologies, such as those utilizing machine learning (ML) approaches, have the potential to improve the accuracy and versatility of accelerometer-based assessments of physical activity (PA). Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit significant heterogeneity in relation to impairment and activity limitations; however, studies conducted to date have implemented "one-size fits all" group (G) models. Group-personalized (GP) models specific to the Gross Motor Function Classification (GMFCS) level and fully-personalized (FP) models trained on individual data may provide more accurate assessments of PA; however, these approaches have not been investigated in children with CP.

Calculating Heart Rate Variability from ECG Data from Youth with Cerebral Palsy During Active Video Game Sessions.

The aim of this study was to generate a method for calculating heart rate variability (HRV) from electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms. The waveforms were recorded by a HR monitor that participants (youth with cerebral palsy (CP)) wore during active video game (AVG) sessions. The AVG sessions were designed to promote physical activity and fitness (aerobic performance) in participants.

Utilization of Physical Therapy Services During Transition for Young People With Cerebral Palsy: A Call for Improved Care Into Adulthood.

Background: Many young adults with cerebral palsy (CP) face limited participation in activities, including employment and independent living. Physical therapy during the transition period can help to support participation through promotion of self-care, ambulation, and functional mobility. Thus, ensuring appropriate access to physical therapy services for young people who can benefit from them before, during, and after transition is imperative.

Technology for Children With Brain Injury and Motor Disability: Executive Summary From Research Summit IV.

Advances in technology show promise as tools to optimize functional mobility, independence, and participation in infants and children with motor disability due to brain injury. Although technologies are often used in adult rehabilitation, these have not been widely applied to rehabilitation of infants and children. In October 2015, the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy sponsored Research Summit IV, "Innovations in Technology for Children With Brain Insults: Maximizing Outcomes.

Comparative Effectiveness Research and Children With Cerebral Palsy: Identifying a Conceptual Framework and Specifying Measures.

Purpose: A step toward advancing research about rehabilitation service associated with positive outcomes for children with cerebral palsy is consensus about a conceptual framework and measures.

Methods: A Delphi process was used to establish consensus among clinicians and researchers in North America.

Results: Directors of large pediatric rehabilitation centers, clinicians from large hospitals, and researchers with expertise in outcomes participated (N = 18).

Decision Trees for Detection of Activity Intensity in Youth with Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To develop and test decision tree (DT) models to classify physical activity (PA) intensity from accelerometer output and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) classification level in ambulatory youth with cerebral palsy (CP) and compare the classification accuracy of the new DT models to that achieved by previously published cut points for youth with CP.

Methods: Youth with CP (GMFCS levels I-III) (N = 51) completed seven activity trials with increasing PA intensity while wearing a portable metabolic system and ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. DT models were used to identify vertical axis (VA) and vector magnitude (VM) count thresholds corresponding to sedentary (SED) (<1.

Reliability and Validity of Objective Measures of Physical Activity in Youth With Cerebral Palsy Who Are Ambulatory.

Background: Physical therapy for youth with cerebral palsy (CP) who are ambulatory includes interventions to increase functional mobility and participation in physical activity (PA). Thus, reliable and valid measures are needed to document PA in youth with CP.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inter-instrument reliability and concurrent validity of 3 accelerometer-based motion sensors with indirect calorimetry as the criterion for measuring PA intensity in youth with CP.

Validity of the OMNI rating of perceived exertion scale for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.

Aim: This study evaluated the validity of the OMNI Walk/Run Rating of Perceived Exertion (OMNI-RPE) scores with heart rate and oxygen consumption (VO₂) for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Children and adolescents with CP, aged 6 to 18 years and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I to III completed a physical activity protocol with seven trials ranging in intensity from sedentary to moderate-to-vigorous. VO₂ and heart rate were recorded during the physical activity trials using a portable indirect calorimeter and heart rate monitor.

The scope of pediatric physical therapy practice in health promotion and fitness for youth with disabilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to discuss the scope of pediatric physical therapy practice in health promotion and fitness for youth with disabilities.

Summary Of Key Points: Evidence is provided that supports integration of health promotion and fitness strategies in physical therapy clinical management. Physical therapists' roles in community-based adapted sports and fitness interventions and reimbursement considerations are discussed.

Measuring reliability and validity of the ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer for children with cerebral palsy: a feasibility study.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to: 1) establish inter-instrument reliability between left and right hip accelerometer placement; 2) examine procedural reliability of a walking protocol used to measure physical activity (PA); and 3) confirm concurrent validity of accelerometers in measuring PA intensity as compared to the gold standard of oxygen consumption measured by indirect calorimetry.

Methods: Eight children (mean age: 11.9; SD: 3.

Aquatic aerobic exercise for children with cerebral palsy: a pilot intervention study.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a14-week aquatic exercise program on gross motor function and walking endurance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The secondary purpose was to evaluate changes in functional strength, aerobic capacity and balance.

Method: A prospective time series group design consisting of four measurement sessions (two baseline, one post intervention, and 1-month follow-up) was used.

Cardiorespiratory response during physical therapist intervention for infants and young children with chronic respiratory insufficiency.

Purpose: To document physical therapist intervention activities and cardiorespiratory response for young children with chronic respiratory insufficiency.

Methods: Twelve children born prematurely, 6 to 30 months chronological age and admitted to inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation for oxygen and/or ventilation weaning, were included. During 3 intervention sessions, a second physical therapist recorded intervention activity and heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SaO2), and respiratory rate.

Systematic review of the clinimetric properties of laboratory- and field-based aerobic and anaerobic fitness measures in children with cerebral palsy.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the level of evidence of the clinimetric properties of measures of aerobic and anaerobic capacity used for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Data Sources: A systematic search of databases PubMed, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO through April 2011 was performed.

Study Selection: Two independent raters identified and examined studies that reported laboratory- or field-based measures of maximal aerobic or anaerobic capacity in children with CP aged 5 to 14 years.

Factors influencing physical activity in children and youth with special health care needs: a pilot study.

Background. Evidence suggests that children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) have decreased physical activity compared to peers. This study describes weight status and physical activity in CYSHCN and identifies factors associated with physical activity and community resources to promote physical activity.