Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Robotic-Assisted Gait Training
“Effect of Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Motor Functions in Adolescent and Young Adult Patients with Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial” Article Summary The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on gross motor function in individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy compared to conventional physical therapy, and to determine if the RAGT effects continue over a 3-4 month period of time. This prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 47 adolescent and adult patients living with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP), and the participants were broken up into two groups in two separate outpatient clinics: an experimental group and a control group. The first group consisted of 21 patients who received RAGT, and the second group consisted of 26 patients who received conventional physical therapy in a clinic where RAGT was unavailable. The RAGT, which is considered a safe option for pediatric…
Read MorePediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument & Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
Assessment of Children With Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy Using the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument Huffman, G Russell MD, MPH*; Bagley, Anita M PhD§; James, Michelle A MD*†‡; Lerman, Joel A MD†‡; Rab, George MD†‡ Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument when using it to determine a baseline level for pediatric patients with Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy when assessing their positive prognostic ability following a reparative shoulder tendon surgery. Population: The population used in this study included 23 children with ages ranging from 2 to 10 years old with the average age being 5.6 years old. All 23 candidates must have met all requirements for the External Rotation Tendon Transfer (ERTT) surgery and have the ability to speak English, among other criteria. Methods: Each participant of this study was to take the full PODCI, assessing all…
Read MoreInfluence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parenting Stress Across Asian Countries: A Cross-National Study – Article Summary
Kurata S, Hiraoka D, Ahmad Adlan AS, et al. Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parenting Stress Across Asian Countries: A Cross-National Study. Front Psychol. 2021;12:782298. Published 2021 Dec 21. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.782298 Purpose: Since the onset of COVID-19, studies showed an increase in parenting stress in Japan due to school closures and restrictions on daily life. In contrast, there has been little research on the impact of COVID-19 on parenting stress in other countries in Asia. The purpose of this study was to determine if COVID-19 increased parenting stress across Asia and whether there were country-specific, regional, or environmental risk factors that led to increased parenting stress. Methods: Researchers conducted an online survey soon after a spike in Covid-19 cases in India. They measured parenting stress using the Parenting Stress Index, and fear and anxiety around Covid-19 using the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale in India (n = 142), Malaysia (n = 69), Japan…
Read MoreBayley Scales of Infant Development – Third Edition Article Summary
Title: Association between feeding difficulties and language delay in preterm infants using Bayley Scales of infant development-third edition. Purpose: The purpose of this study by Adams-Chapman et al. (2013) aimed to analyze any correlation between language development delays due to atypical feeding in preterm babies. This understanding is growing importance due to the increased survival rate of preterm infants. Study population: The Adams-Chapman et al. (2013) study population included 1,477 infants born less than or at 26 weeks gestation, and infants enrolled in a clinical trial through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Neonatal Research Network. Methods: Data collection schedule included birth to hospital discharge, death, or 120 days postnatal age. This data included any variables that could impact development, such as demographics, and neonatal aspects. The parent/caregiver was questioned, about abnormal feeding behaviors, such as: physician orders for no oral feeding, choking, coughing, or extreme drooling…
Read MoreMaximal Strength Testing in Healthy Children
Title: Maximal Strength Testing in Healthy Children– 2003 FAIGENBAUM, AVERY D.; MILLIKEN, LAURIE A.; WESTCOTT, WAYNE L. Maximal Strength Testing in Healthy Children. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: February 2003 – Volume 17 – Issue 1 – p 162-166 Authors: Avery D Faigenbaum, Laurie A. Milliken – Dept of Exercise Science and Phys Ed, University of Massachusetts, Boston Wayne L Westcott – South Shore YMCA, Quincy MA Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness in maximally strength testing children in regards to safety and efficacy. Study Population: 32 Adolescent Females and 64 Adolescent Males- between 6.2 and 12.3 years old (Mean 9.3 + 1.6 years), with all undergoing prior medical screening to determine if any medical conditions that could worsen with 1 repetition max (1RM) testing where present. Exclusion criteria included chronic pediatric disease, orthopedic…
Read MorePedsQL Article Summary
Title: Quality-of-Life Evaluation of Healthy Siblings of Children with Chronic Illness Purpose: A study by Dinleyici et al. (2020) used the PedsQL to measure the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of siblings of children with chronic conditions. Study Population: Dinleyici et al. (2020) used a sample of 191 siblings of children with chronic conditions and 100 age-matched healthy siblings of healthy children as a control group. The chronic conditions included cerebral palsy, hematologic/oncologic conditions, asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, and epilepsy. Methods: Siblings of healthy children and siblings of children with chronic conditions, as well as the parents of the children in both groups, completed a self-reported PedsQL. The PedsQL looks at four domains including physical, social, and emotional health and school functioning. The parent and child forms were completed for each group. The researchers analyzed the domains by category: physical health, psychosocial health (including emotional, social, and school…
Read MoreOutcomes in infantile and toddler pediatric intensive care unit survivors: Peabody Development Motor Scales – 2
Title: Gross motor developmental dysfunctional outcomes in infantile and toddler pediatric intensive care unit survivors Purpose: The intent of this study was to research the gross motor development and function in infants and toddlers who survived the PICU. Study population: The population included 35 patients between the ages of 1 month and <3 years who were hospitalized in the PICU of the First Hospital of Jilin University for greater than 48 hours. Exclusion factors included neuromuscular junction disease, CNS disease, limb fractures, deep vein thrombosis, and patients with gross motor dysfunction prior to being admitted to the PICU. Methods: The 35 eligible patients were separated into 2 groups based on their score from the Gross Motor Quotient (GMQ). A score of <90 placed the participant in the dysfunction group (n=24). A score of >90 placed the participant in the non-dysfunction group (n=11). The patients were then assessed over their length…
Read MoreMABC Article Summary
Reference: Erdi-Krausz G, Rocha R, Brown A, et al. Neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy: Motor impairment beyond cerebral palsy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2021;35:74-81. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.10.005 Purpose: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that is caused by lack of blood flow to the brain around birth. One of the intervention approaches to this condition is therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Even with this (TH) intervention, some of these children will go on to receive a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). However, there are some children with neonatal HIE who do not receive a CP diagnosis. There is a lack of information regarding physical and cognitive outcomes in children who had neonatal HIE but did not receive a formal diagnosis of CP. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to look at motor, neurologic, and cognitive ability in school aged children who had neonatal HIE but no diagnosis of CP. Study population: This study…
Read MoreRelationship of Therapists’ Attitudes, Children’s Motor Ability, and Parenting Stress to Mothers’ Perceptions of Therapists’ Behaviors During Early Intervention-Article Summary
Title: Relationship of Therapists’ Attitudes, Children’s Motor Ability, and Parenting Stress to Mothers’ Perceptions of Therapists’ Behaviors During Early Intervention Journal: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal Authors: Margaret E O’Neil, Robert J Palisano, Sarah L Westcott Purpose: The Purpose of this article was to assess the effectiveness of the expanding role of Physical Therapists into Family-Centered Care. Considering the psychosocial and interpersonal aspects associated with this shift, there was a desire to make sure that the families, as well as the therapists are comfortable with this shift in health care. Population: Pediatric Physical Therapists, Families and Children receiving Early Intervention Physical Therapy as mandated in Federal Law IDEA Part C. Methods: 25 Pediatric Physical Therapists worked with 75 Mother/Child dyads that qualified for Early Intervention PT as a part of IDEA Part C. The mean age for the children was 21.2 months old. The mothers participated in an interview which…
Read MorePEDI Article Summary – Are PEDI Normative Values Applicable to the German Version (PEDI-G) of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Index?
Wenger, C. Schulze, A. Kottorp, Are the American normative standard scores applicable to the German version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-G)? Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. 28, 110–120 (2020), doi:10.1080/11038128.2020.1726452. Purpose: The United States of America utilizes the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) as an outcome measure to assess children’s abilities to accomplish activities of daily living. The PEDI is an outcome measure that primarily evaluates children from 6 months to 7.5 years of age. It is utilized in the clinic for children who have developmental or cognitive disabilities. The PEDI is also utilized in other countries, but it’s validity across various cultures had not yet been studied. The German version of the PEDI outcome measure is called the PEDI-G, and is utilized in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the normative scores from the American PEDI were comparable and applicable…
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