Findings from a study looking at a method of ensuring physical therapists can more easily implement evidence-based guideline therapy for children with cerebral palsy has been published in Pediatric Physical Therapy journal. First author Michelle Jackman PhD, Occupational Therapist & Research Fellow, at the Cerebral Palsy Research Institute of University of Sydney, Australia and the CP Alliance Research Foundation in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia has been discussing her group's findings in the latest edition of the Pediatric Physical Therapy podcast with correspondent Sarah Maxwell, in the company of Editor-in-Chief, Linda Fetters PhD PT FAPTA, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.

"Inclusion, Participation, Belonging = Surviving, Thriving, Flourishing"

Toby Long PhD tells podcast anchor Sarah Maxwell about the role physical therapists play in helping children with impairments participate in day-to-day life: the theme she addressed in her lecture to the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy for the prestigious Ann Van Sant Global Scientific Writing Lectureship, now documented in her Pediatric Physical Therapy article.

Volume 35, Number 4

Creator:

Pediatric Physical Therapy, September 2023, Volume 35, Issue 4

INTERVIEWS IN THIS EDITION

Studio Guest:

Linda Fetters PhD PT FAPTA, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA, Pediatric Physical Therapy Editor-in-Chief, adds her comments and reflections on clinical implications arising from the research discussed in the podcast by Pediatric Physical Therapy authors.

Author Interviews:

1. Catie Christensen PT DPT PCS, Evidence Based Practice Coordinator, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA

"2022 APTA Pediatrics Knowledge Translation Lecture: Clinicians and Researchers Collaborate to Implement a Segmental Approach to Trunk Control"

Christensen discusses her team's detailed investigation of how collaboration between clinicians and researchers can help implement the "segmental approach" to trunk control in patients with cerebral palsy.

2. Kate L. McLeod, Queensland Cerebral Palsy & Rehabilitation Research Centre, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

"Effect of Active Motor Learning Interventions on Gross Motor Function and Mobility in Children Aged 2 to 6 Years With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis "

McLeod tells the podcast about her group's meta-analysis of studies investigating active-motor learning interventions among children with bilateral cerebral palsy.

3. Stacey C. Dusing PT PhD FAPTA PCS, Sykes Family Chair of Pediatric Physical Therapy, Health, and Development, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.

"Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Clinical Trial: A Quantitative Report on Study Engagement and Strategies"

Research on physical therapy practice during the COVID pandemic suggests that lessons have been learned and that clinicians will be better prepared for a future pandemic. Dusing tells the podcast about her group's report in Pediatric Physical Therapy on a study of infants in a rehabilitation clinical trial, that took place before and during COVID.

4. Kelly E. Rock PT, DPT, PhD, PCS, currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA and former PhD student at the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, discusses: "Muscle Properties, Gross Motor Performance, and Quality of Life in Children With Sickle Cell Disease". The group looked at muscle properties and motor performance as metrics to guide and individualize physical therapy plans for children with sickle-cell disease. Rock explains how these outcome measures can provide an evidence-base for therapy planning.

5. Kimberley S Scott PT DPT PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

"Fidelity of Delivery in a Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial of Intervention Efficacy for Infants With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy"

For children with unilateral cerebral palsy, the consistency of interventions between centers and between individual clinicians has been checked in a new study. Scott tells the podcast about her group's investigation of the fidelity of therapy delivery in a multi-site randomized clinical trial.

6. Jodi Thomas DHSc, School of Physical Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Dallas, Texas, USA

"The Head Control Scale: Responsiveness and Concurrent Validity With the Alberta Infant Motor Scale"

Although head control holds the key to a number of developmental issues it's not easy to measure objectively in a new-born infant. Thomas talks about the validation of her group's recently developed "Head Control Scale" as an accurate measure of head control in young children.

7. Melissa McIntyre PT DPT, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

"Daily Quantity and Kinematic Characteristics of Leg Movement in a Child With SMA Type I"

The rare genetic condition: Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, can now be treated with specific molecular drugs or gene therapy. These treatments alter disease progression, resulting in improved motor function and development. In the best of cases, infants who previously had dismal outlooks and very short survivals can demonstrate near-typical motor development. McIntyre talks about her case study, giving insights into physical therapy for neonates and young children with SMA who demonstrate previously unseen development trajectories and motor achievements.

INTERVIEWS IN THIS EDITION:

Studio Guest:

Linda Fetters PhD, PT, FAPTA

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Pediatric Physical Therapy Editor-in-Chief.

Linda begins this special edition of the podcast by talking about our inspiring former leader, the late Cindy Miles, President of the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy at the American Physical Therapy Association.

Author Interviews:

1. Hércules Ribeiro Leite PhD, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

I Would Like to Do It Very Much! Leisure Participation Patterns and Determinants of Brazilian Children and Adolescents With Physical Disabilities

Hércules tells us how the needs of youngsters with physical impairments are often overlooked, especially in low- and middle-income countries. His group's new program increases their participation in leisure activities such as sports providing new opportunities to improve outcomes.

2: Jeanette M Cadieux PT DPT, Cadieux Physical Therapy, Cooper Landing, Alaska, USA

Pediatric Walking Speed Normal Reference Values in a Local Population

In a new research study, Janette has been calibrating pediatric walking speed in typical children as a comparator to help assess performance in children with impairments.

3 Joseph Schreiber PT PhD FAPTA, Physical Therapy Learning for Practice, Pittsburg PA, USA

Clinical Outcomes of an Intensity Program for Children With Movement Challenges

Joe tells the podcast about his group's high intensity program of physical therapy for children with movement challenges: a massive initiative developed by his co-authors at the Children's Institute, in Pittsburgh, bringing clinically important improvements in outcomes.

4: Adriaan Louw PT PhD, Evidence in Motion, Story City, Iowa, USA

Pain Neuroscience Education in Elementary and Middle Schools

Adriaan explains how our attitudes towards pain influences our experiences of pain. He discusses his research findings on the role of pain neuroscience education among children, and explains how physical therapists are pivotal to implementing this.

5. Deanne Fay PT, DPT, PhD, Professor & Director of Curriculum, Physical Therapy Program, AT Still University, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Influence of Modified Instructions on Locomotion Subtest Scores Using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition

Deanne explains how departing from the published scripts for instructing children and asking them questions while you are conducting motor function scores can markedly affect the score and should be discouraged.

6. Tanochni Mohanty, MPT, JSS College of Physiotherapy, Mysuru, Karnataka, India

Predictors of Risk for Cerebral Palsy: A Review

Tanochni gives the podcast some of the key findings from her group's big new survey reviewing data on predictive risk factors for cerebral palsy. In particular she highlights the significance of absent fidgety movements among infants and of prenatal general movements.

7. Kara Boynewicz, PT, PhD, DPT, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee

Early Identification of Atypical Motor Performance of Infants With Prenatal Opioid Exposure

Coping with new-born babies heavily exposed to opiates in utero became a key specialist activity for Kara who has been studying how best to give these infant as good a start in life as possible by setting up a carefully controlled investigation of motor performance in new-born infants with: Neonatal Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome, NOWS.

INTERVIEWS IN THIS EDITION

1. Amy Bailes, PT PhD

Director of Physical Therapy Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH

"Inpatient Physical Therapy After Orthopedic Lower Extremity Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy"

A new study in Pediatric Physical Therapy reveals the proportion of children with cerebral palsy having physical therapy during inpatient stay after their orthopedic lower extremity surgery. The value of such therapy to inpatient care is discussed by lead author Amy Bailes.

1. Rachel Bican, PT, DPT, PhD

Assistant Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

"Comparison of Gross Motor Outcomes Between Children With Cerebral Palsy From Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Counties"

Pediatric Physical Therapy researcher Rachel Bican talks about her investigation of cerebral palsy outcomes in the US Appalachian area compared to nearby non-Apalachian regions.

1. Nancy Lennon, PT DPT MS

Department of Orthopedics, Division of Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Services, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware, USA

"Factors Associated With Short-Term Recovery Following Single-Event Multilevel Surgery for Children With Cerebral Palsy."

Nancy Lennon talks about her group's research findings of the effect of physical therapy on the outcome of single event multilevel surgery performed to improve motor function in children with cerebral palsy.

1. Natalie Fairbairn, MPH/MHM, OT

Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

"Risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder in 8- and 9-Year-Olds Following Newborn Cardiac and Non–Cardiac Surgery"

Natalie Fairbairn discusses the risks her group found of cardiac and non-cardiac surgery on newborn babies—in particular its effect on developmental co-ordination disorder.

1. James E Gehringer, PhD

Research Assistant Professor Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska

"Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training in Virtual Reality: A Feasibility Study"

James Gehringer explains how his group integrated virtual reality with Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training (HABIT) for treating unilateral cerebral palsy. The research appeared to overcome some of the frequently encountered barriers to progress.

1. Johannes J Noordstar, PhD MSc,

Assistant Professor, Center for Child Development, Exercise & Physical Literacy, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre, Utrecht University, Netherlands.

"Is Measuring Physical Literacy in School-Aged Children With Cystic Fibrosis or Congenital Heart Disease Needed?"

Physical therapy researcher Johannes Noordstar talks about his group's research on whether "physical literacy" should be assessed in school-age children with cystic fibrosis or congenital heart disease.

1. Helen Carey, PT DHSc PCS

College of Health Sciences, University of Indianapolis, Indiana USA

"Early Developmental Trends in High-Risk Neonates Later Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder"

Helen Carey talks about her findings (published in Pediatric Physical Therapy) from a study of high-risk neonates showing how autism spectrum disorder can be detected very early in life.

1. Dana Tischler, PT, DPT, MS, PCS, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT, USA

"Quality of Life, Participation, and Individualized Support in a Community-Based Yoga Class: A Case Series"

Physical therapy researchers in Utah have been trialling a ten-week yoga training class as therapy for children with impairments. In it, they assessed quality of life and participation with the help of doctor of physical therapy students who gave the children individualised support.

1. Noelle Moreau PT PhD, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

Safety and Feasibility of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) Testing in Children and Adolescents With Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy

New insights about optimal use of the 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) test have emerged from a study among children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

1. 3. Pamela Tucker PT DPT, Upstate Medical University Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA

Effectiveness of Robotic-Assisted Gait Training and Aquatic Physical Therapy in a Child With Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency: A Case Report

A case study of a child with the rare, variable condition Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (L-CHAD) brings encouragement that practical management strategies can bring big benefits.

1. Kari S. Kretch PT, DPT, PhD, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

Developmental Surveillance Milestone Checklist Updates: "Learn the Signs. Act Early"—Implications for Physical Therapists

Physical therapist's perspective on the Centers for Disease Control updated developmental assessment milestones.

1. 5. Ramona Clarke BExSci/BPhty, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

International Delphi Recommendations for Pediatric Lower Limb Neurological Test Protocols for

Muscle Strength, Reflexes, and Tactile Sensitivity

An assessment of lower limb neurological testing in children, with recommendations on muscle strength, reflexes and tactile sensitivity.

1. Andrina Sabet PT ATP, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

ON Time Mobility: Advocating for Mobility Equity

And: Darrien Fann, Patient Self-Advocate, Cleveland OH, USA

Equality in mobility—irrespective of physical impairment—is the focus of a new program of information and communication aimed at establishing mobility equity as a human right

1. Hércules Ribeiro Leite, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Research on Children With Cerebral Palsy in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

World Health Organisation data on cerebral palsy services in low- and middle-income countries (discussed at the recent 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine) identified big geographical disparities and key areas for improvement in access to good therapy and research.

1. Sudha Srinivasan PT PhD, Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Feasibility of Using Joystick-Operated Ride-on-Toys to Promote Upper Extremity Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

While children who can't walk can benefit from using a powered ride-on toy, those who have impairments not severe enough to prevent walking altogether can also benefit. This is according to a new study of powered mobility assistance among children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy using a mobility toy controlled by a single joystick.

1. 9. Sofie Meijer MSc HU University of Applied Sciences, Master of Pediatric Physical Therapy program, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Reliability of Using a Smartphone Application to Objectify Skull Deformation

Research using a smartphone app called: the Skully Care App shows that smartphones can be used to quantify infant skull deformation.

10: Carole A Tucker, PT, PhD, Associate Dean of Research, Chair of Physical Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

Enhancing the Content Validity of Self-Reported Physical Activity Self-Efficacy in Adolescents: A Qualitative Study

A study of self-efficacy in adolescents reports that measures to increase self-confidence among youngsters can help them achieve physical therapy goals.