Supported Standing and Supported Stepping Devices for Children with Non-Ambulant Cerebral Palsy: An Interdependence and F-Words Focus.

Children functioning at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV-V cannot maintain an aligned standing position or take steps without support. Upright positioning and mobility devices have psycho-social significance for these children and their families, enhancing use of vision, communication, functioning and emotional well-being. Standers and supported stepping devices facilitate opportunities for biomechanical loading, potentially helping to build and maintain muscle and bone integrity, and they promote physical development.

Identifying Opportunities for Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy.

This study aimed to evaluate assessment and referral practices for the early detection and diagnosis of children at risk for or with cerebral palsy (CP) by health care and education providers in Maryland and Delaware. A secondary aim was to identify barriers for using early detection tools and identify opportunities for change to support early diagnosis and improve care. Seventy-two participants answered ≥ 50% of the survey questions.

Identifying and Evaluating Young Children with Developmental Central Hypotonia: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Tools.

Children with developmental central hypotonia have reduced muscle tone secondary to non-progressive damage to the brain or brainstem. Children may have transient delays, mild or global functional impairments, and the lack of a clear understanding of this diagnosis makes evaluating appropriate interventions challenging. This overview aimed to systematically describe the best available evidence for tools to identify and evaluate children with developmental central hypotonia aged 2 months to 6 years.

Supported standing and stepping device use in young children with cerebral palsy, gross motor function classification system III, IV and V: A descriptive study.

This study described and compared use of supported-standing and stepping devices by young children with cerebral palsy, Gross-Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V following power mobility introduction. Data was collected at two time-points, 5-6 months apart, for 42 participants, aged 18-80 months, using the Home Use of Technology for CHildren (HUTCH). Supported-standing and stepping device choice and time in each device remained stable over 6 months.

Supported-standing interventions for children and young adults with non-ambulant cerebral palsy: A scoping review.

Aim: To describe the evidence, outcomes, and lived experience of supported standing for children and young adults with cerebral palsy aged 25 years or younger, classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V.

Method: This scoping review included searches in eight electronic databases and manual searching from database inception to May 2020 and updated on 21st February 2022. Two of three reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts and extracted and appraised data.

Standing power wheelchairs and their use by children and youth with mobility limitations: an interrupted time series.

Unlabelled: Standing power wheelchairs (PWSDs) expand positioning and mobility options for individuals with motor impairments. Although more available, little is known about how PWSDs are used in everyday life.

Purpose: to describe children's use of PWSDs in the first three months post-wheelchair delivery and the impacts on satisfaction with participation in daily life.

Parents' and Therapists' Satisfaction with Four Early Childhood Power Mobility Devices.

Little is known about satisfaction with power mobility devices used by young children. Parents' and therapists' satisfaction with four early childhood power mobility devices were examined. A two-phased study, comprising Trial Phase cross-sectional design and Loan Phase one-group pretest-posttest design.

Evidence-informed clinical perspectives on postural management for hip health in children and adults with non-ambulant cerebral palsy.

Postural management is a multi-disciplinary approach incorporating a comprehensive schedule of daily and night-time positions, equipment and physical activity to help maintain or improve body structures and function and increase activity and participation. Postural management may play a role in preventing contracture, deformity, pain, and asymmetry. This article provides an overview of the evidence supporting use of postural management to positively influence hip health in individuals with cerebral palsy, functioning as Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV or V.

Exploring change in young children's power mobility skill following several months' experience.

Purpose: To measure and compare progression in children's power mobility skill among process and task-based measures following a loan of one of four early power mobility devices. Additionally, to explore different power mobility learner groups and skill development trajectories.

Methods: In this pre-post study, children were purposefully sampled and power mobility skill was measured from video taken pre-post several months' experience (mean 192.

Beginning power mobility: parent and therapist perspectives.

Purpose: To explore parent and therapist experiences of early power mobility following participation in a Power Mobility Day - a 60-90 min play-based session where children with mobility limitations (<6 years of age) experienced four different early power mobility devices.

Method: Participants were purposefully selected from parents and therapists who took part in Power Mobility Days as part of a larger cross-sectional study. One semi-structured interview with each participant was conducted telephone.

Beginning power mobility: An exploration of factors associated with child use of early power mobility devices and parent device preference.

Objectives: Describe and compare young children's use of four early power mobility devices and examine associations between child and environmental factors that may influence power mobility use and parent device preference.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Methods: Power Mobility Days introduced four devices: Wizzybug, Bugzi, Tiger Cub, and a switch-adapted ride-on toy car in a single 60-90 min, play-based session.

American and Canadian therapists' perspectives of age and cognitive skills for paediatric power mobility: a qualitative study.

To explore the views of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Canada and the USA related to (1) the rationale for the age at which power mobility is considered for children and (2) the cognitive skills considered when trialling power mobility. This study was part of a larger web-based survey study and analyzed responses to two open-ended survey questions: one related to age and one related to cognitive skills. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Power mobility for children: a survey study of American and Canadian therapists' perspectives and practices.

Aim: To explore the views and practices of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Canada and the USA regarding the implementation of power mobility for children with mobility limitations.

Method: This descriptive study utilized a web-based survey that included questions pertaining to therapists' decisions to trial and use power mobility, agreement or disagreement with statements developed from published practice considerations regarding power mobility, and the frequency of performing tasks related to power mobility prescription and training.

Results: Most respondents reported that child characteristics (e.

Interventions to improve sensory and motor outcomes for young children with central hypotonia: A systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate evidence supporting physical and occupational therapy interventions used to improve sensory and motor outcomes for children 0-6 years with central hypotonia.

Methods: Four electronic databases were searched from 1996 to March 2017. Level of evidence and study conduct was evaluated using American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine criteria.

Power mobility skill progression for children and adolescents: a systematic review of measures and their clinical application.

Aim: To identify and critically appraise standardized measures of power mobility skill used with children (18y or younger) with mobility limitations and explore the measures' application for 'exploratory', 'operational', and 'functional' learners.

Method: Five electronic databases were searched along with hand-searching for peer-reviewed articles published in English to July 2017 (updated 31st August 2017). Key terms included power(ed) mobility, power(ed) wheelchair, and database-specific terms.

RESNA position on the application of power mobility devices for pediatric users.

This paper serves as an update to the previous RESNA Position on the Application of Power Wheelchairs for Pediatric Users with more current and additional scientific literature. This document contains typical clinical applications and best evidence from the literature supporting the application of power mobility (PM) for young children and to assist practitioners in decision-making and justification. It is RESNA' s position that age, limited vision or cognition, behavioral issues, and the ability to walk or propel a manual wheelchair short distances should not, in and of themselves, be used as discriminatory factors against providing PM for children.

Physical risk factors influencing wheeled mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is a lack of understanding of the factors that influence independent mobility and participation in meaningful activities. The purpose of this study was to analyse physical factors influencing independent use of manual and power wheelchairs in a total population of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: A cross-sectional study based on the most recent examination of all children with CP, born 2002-2013, reported into the Swedish cerebral palsy registry (CPUP), from January 2012 to June 2014.

Comparison of the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement for three gait trainers.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement on two different surfaces in a sample of three commonly prescribed gait trainers. Tests were conducted in a laboratory setting to compare the Prime Engineering KidWalk, Rifton Pacer, and Snug Seat Mustang with and without a weighted anthropometric test dummy configured to the weight and proportions of a 4-year-old child. The Pacer was the lightest and the KidWalk the heaviest while footprints of the three gait trainers were similar.

Systematic review and clinical recommendations for dosage of supported home-based standing programs for adults with stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions.

Background: Sitting for more than 8 h a day has been shown to negatively impact health and mortality while standing is the recommended healthier alternative. Home-based standing programs are commonly recommended for adults who cannot stand and/or walk independently. The aim of this systematic review is to review effectiveness of home-based standing programs for adults with neurological conditions including stroke and spinal cord injury; and to provide dosage guidelines to address body structure and function, activity and participation outcomes.

Facilitating interprofessional evidence-based practice in paediatric rehabilitation: development, implementation and evaluation of an online toolkit for health professionals.

Purpose: Lack of time, competencies, resources and supports are documented as barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP). This paper introduces a recently developed web-based toolkit designed to assist interprofessional clinicians in implementing EBP within a paediatric rehabilitation setting.

Methods: EBP theory, models, frameworks and tools were applied or adapted in the development of the online resources, which formed the basis of a larger support strategy incorporating interactive workshops, knowledge broker facilitation and mentoring.

Outcomes of gait trainer use in home and school settings for children with motor impairments: a systematic review.

Objective: To summarize and critically appraise evidence regarding use of gait trainers (walkers providing trunk and pelvic support) at home or school with children who are unable to walk independently or with hand-held walkers.

Data Sources: Searches were performed in seven electronic databases including EBM Reviews, CINAHL, Medline and EMBASE for publications in English from database inception to November 2014.

Review Methods: Included studies involved at least one child with a mobility limitation and measured an outcome related to gait trainer use.

The child and family experience of power mobility: a qualitative synthesis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to critically synthesize qualitative evidence regarding the child and family experience of power mobility, and to examine how this evidence fits with current theoretical concepts.

Method: Electronic database/hand searches were undertaken in September 2012 and updated in February 2014. The searches were restricted to qualitative studies published in English before February 2014 that included at least one child under the age of 19 with a disability and described an outcome related to the use of power mobility.