INTERVEWS IN THIS EDITION

Pediatric Physical Therapy October 2019 Volume 31 Issue 4

RICMOND, VA—Experience from the NICU on communicating and implementing new research into the clinic (knowledge translation) shows that clinicians and researchers can benefit from working together.

INTERVIEWEE: Shaaron E. Brown Clinical Physical Therapist, Children's Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA

“This invited lecture supports the importance of clinician-researchers collaborations for best practice.”

SPRINGFIELD, MI—Outcomes from physical therapy training interventions have been quantified in a meta-analysis of benefits from a physical approach to improving respiratory muscle performance in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, many of whom are not typically candidates for physical therapy now that medical treatments are so effective.

INTERVIEWEE: Elizabeth Williamson PT PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Missouri State University, Springfield MI

“This study reports the respiratory muscle training effect on strength and endurance in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.”

PITTSBURGH, PA—More than a year after release of the new physical therapy Guideline on Congenital Muscular Torticollis a new analysis gives insights to help clinicians implement it optimally.

INTERVIEWEE: Joseph Schreiber PT PhD,Professor and Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Chatham University, Pittsburgh PA

“This study is a follow-up to the quantitative survey to examine the perceptions of pediatric physical therapists on the application of the 2013 guidelines.” 

RICHMOND, VA—A single subject study of a young child with cerebral palsy looked at cognitive and motor outcomes and their inter-relationship after a new kind of physical therapy intervention.

INTERVIEWEE: Stacey Dusing PT PhD PCS, Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Director of the Motor Development Laboratory, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

“This study evaluated the change in motor and cognitive abilities of a single child during participation in the START-Play intervention.”

UTRECHT, NL—The potential for cross-cultural variability (between different populations around the world) in developmental assessment with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale has been revealed in a new study. 

INTERVIEWEE: Imke Suir, Department of Lifestyle and Health, Institute of Human Movement Studies, HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

“To examine if the Canadian normative values of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale are appropriate for Dutch infants.”

MILWAUKEE, WI—Patients who use manual wheelchairs have been investigated to assess the benefit of intensive physical therapy.

INTERVIEWEE—Jacob R. Rammer PhD, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Engineering Center, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

“This study assesses the effect of community-based intensive physical and occupational therapy on functional outcomes over a 7-week period for children who use manual wheelchairs.”

INTERVIEWS IN THIS EDITION

Director of Physical Therapy, Munroe Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE

Sitting Matters! Differences Between Sitters and Nonsitters at 6 Months’ Adjusted

“This retrospective study examines differences in prematurity-related risk and compares developmental outcomes between sitters and non-sitters at 6 months adjusted-age.”

OMAHA, NE—An investigation of factors influencing ability to sit upright at six months age—noted from neonatal intensive care unit follow up among infants born preterm or those considered to be at risk of developmental delay—show that motor function drives early development.

Early Intervention Therapy Services for Infants With or at Risk for Cerebral Palsy

“The purpose of this study was to explore the practices physical therapists and occupational therapists use in early intervention for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy.”

LEXINGTON KY—Infant showing early signs of cerebral palsy—or who are assessed as being at high risk—were found to benefit from early intervention.

Distance-Based Throwing Programs for Baseball Players From Little League to High School

“Our goal is to create a guide for rehabilitation specialists and players to return to throwing as quickly and safely as possible”

SEATTLE, WA—Children with sports injuries benefited from the best recovery exercises to do to recover by using an evidence-based “Throwing Progam” for injured ball-game players.

Physical Therapy Scoliosis-Specific Exercises May Reduce Curve Progression in Mild Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Curves

“To evaluate the curve magnitude in participants with mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at high risk of progression who received outpatient physical therapy scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE).”

DALLAS, TX—Physical therapy success was assessed in patients with scoliosis by measuring the extent to which patients who systematically received physical therapy exercises for scoliosis actually succeeded in getting measurable reductions of curve progression—compared to patients in the control group who were simply observed.

Physical Therapy for a Patient With Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood: A Case Report

The purpose of this case report is to present an example of physical therapy evaluation, intervention and outcomes for a child with alternating hemiplegia of childhood

DURHAM, NC—A case report throws light on the key role of the physical therapy elements of care for children with the rare, many-faceted and clinically variable condition: Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood.

Documenting physical therapy dose for individuals with cerebral palsy:  A quality improvement initiative

This report describes the quality improvement activities used to improve treatment dose documentation for individuals with cerebral palsy and to describe insights gained from this project.

CINCINNATI, OH—Data from therapy sessions among thousands of patients with cerebral palsy have generated clear procedures to optimize care, resulting in significantly improved quality of physical therapy.

1. Validity of the Early Activity Scale for Endurance and the Six-Minute Walk Test for children with cerebral palsy

2. Effects of adaptive bungee trampolining for children with cerebral palsy: a single subject study

3. Early intervention and postural adjustments during reaching in infants at risk of cerebral palsy

4. Cardiopulmonary Exercise test using arm ergometry in children with Spina Bifida: a prediction model

5. Functional task training combined with electrical stimulation improves motor capacity in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a single-subject design

1. Does Weight Status Impact Metabolic Health in Adolescents When Controlling for Physical Fitness?

2. Relationship between Torticollis and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder in Infants

4. Physical Therapy Outcome Measures for Assessment of Lower Extremity Chronic Pain-related Function in Pediatrics.

5. Daily and weekly rehabilitation delivery for young children with gross motor delay: a research protocol

01 Effects of Structured Exercise Training in Children and Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Systematic Review

02 The Timed Up and Go test in children: Does Protocol Choice Matter? A Systematic Review

03 Effects of Instruction on Parent Competency during Infant Handling in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

04 Developmental Trajectories and Reference Percentiles for the 6-Minute Walk Test for Children with Cerebral Palsy

05 Progression of Ankle Plantarflexion Contractures and Functional Decline in DMD: Implications for Physical Therapy Management

06 Adapted dance improves motor abilities and participation in children with Down syndrome: A pilot study

07 Moving Toward Excellence in Pediatric Physical Therapy Education: A Scoping Review

1. Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy

2. Effects of a gaming platform on balance training for children with cerebral palsy
(Pediatr Phys Ther 2018;00:1–6)

3.  Physical Therapist Coaching to Improve Physical Activity in Children with Brain Tumors: A Pilot Study  

4.  Physical therapists’ use and alteration of standardized assessments of motor function in children.

5.  Adapted Motivational Interviewing to Promote Exercise in Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease: A Pilot Trial 

6.  The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (Tdcs) on Motor Function, in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review 

7.  Stepping activity in children with congenital myotonic dystrophy

8.  Whole-body vibration training designed to improve functional impairments after pediatric inpatient anticancer therapy: pilot study

Bert Steenbergen PhD, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands

Max J. Kurz PhD, Associate Professr Department of Physical Therapy, Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha

Laura S Gilchrist PhD, Professor of Physical Therapy, Minnesota Blood and Cancer Disorders Program & Rehabilitation, St Catherine University, Minneapolis 

Donna J Cech PT, Professor & Program Director Physical Therapy Program, College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois

Carol L. Baym PhD, Physical Therapy Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado

Laura K. Brunton PhD, Elborn College, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada

Julie E Brown PhD, Fort Worth Independent School District

Dana McCarty PT, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Allied Health Sciences Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill  

LEAD STORY—Trends in attitudes and practice patterns of physical therapists in addressing childhood obesity in schools

ALSO—

Power Mobility Training Methods for Children: A Critical Review

Modified Ride-On Car Use by Young Children with Disabilities

Thirty Second Walk Test: Expansion of Normative Data

Number of synergies is dependent on spasticity and gait kinetics in children with cerebral palsy