Recent Research in Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy

Disclaimer: These pages are not intended to provide medical
advice or physician/therapist instruction. Information provided
should not be used for diagnostic or training purposes.
Consult a therapist or physician regarding specific diagnoses
or medical advice.

Go to recent
research and
links from
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008

Fractures and Rett Syndrome
Pediatrics reports that girls with Rett syndrome are at greater risk for fractures - four times greater risk than the general population. A diagnosis of
Rett Syndrome and epilepsy resulted in an even greater risk for fracture.

Reference: Downs, Jennepher, Bebbington, Ami, Woodhead, Helen, Jacoby, Peter, Jian, Le, Jefferson, Amanda, Leonard, Helen. Early
Determinants of Fractures in Rett Syndrome Pediatrics 2008 121: 540-546.

APRIL 2008 RECENT RESEARCH:

Pediatric PT's and AT
Physical Therapy reports results from a survey for pediatric physical therapists on assistive technology (AT) training. The therapists surveyed
reported less than adequate training and confidence in AT. The therapists would like more training and information on most aspects of AT
including funding and type of AT available.

Reference: Long, TM, PErry PF. (2008) Pediatric Physical Therapists' Perceptions of Their Training in Assistive Technology. Physical Therapy
Mar 6 epub ahead of print.

Developmental Outcomes for CHD at 5 Years Old
Recent research in the Journal of Pediatrics reports on infants with congenital heart defects (CHD) with a history of surgical repair who were
assessed at 5 years of age for developmental and functional outcomes. The study revealed that children with this medical history are at risk
for learning difficulties and social skills at 5 years old.

Reference: Manjnemer, A MD, Limperopoulos, C. PhD, Shevell, M. MD et al. (2008) Developmental and Functional Outcomes at School
Entry in Children with Congenital Heart Defects. Journal of Pediatrics 152(3): A3.

Rates of CP in the US
Pediatrics reports that the current incidence rate of cerebral palsy in three areas in the US had a average rate of 3.6 per 1000 eight year old
children. Spastic cerebral palsy occurred 77% of the time with 70% of that being spastic diplegia. The rate of CP was highest among black non
-Hispanics and lowest for Hispanics. CP was seen more often in low to middle income areas than higher income areas.

Reference: Yeargin-Allsopp, Marshalyn, Van Naarden Braun, Kim, Doernberg, Nancy S., Benedict, Ruth E., Kirby, Russell S., Durkin, Maureen S.
Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in 8-Year-Old Children in Three Areas of the United States in 2002: A Multisite Collaboration Pediatrics 2008
121: 547-554.

Twenty Years Post SDR
Journal of Neurosurgery reports that 13 patients underwent gait analysis, 20 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy. The results indicated
improved walking speed after 20 years when compared to the preoperative values. Hip range of motion and the degree of collapse (hip and
knee midrange) returned to the preoperative values. Knee range of motion was 12degrees better than preoperative value.

Reference: Nelleke G. Langerak, Robert P. Lamberts, A. Graham Fieggen, Jonathan C. Peter, Lize van der Merwe, Warwick J. Peacock,
Christopher L. Vaughan. A prospective gait analysis study in patients with diplegic cerebral palsy 20 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy.
Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics 2008 1:3, 180-186.

Benefits of Yoga
The latest issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy reports on a review of the research on the therapeutic benefits of yoga. They conclude that
yoga does result in physiological benefits for children but larger trials are necessary for specific benefits.

Reference: Galantino, Mary Lou PT, PhD, MSCE; Galbavy, Robyn PT, MPT; Quinn, Lauren DPT (2008). Therapeutic Effects of Yoga for
Children: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Pediatric Physical Therapy 20 (1):66.

FES and CP
The Spring issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy reports that functional electrical stimulation (FES) for 8 weeks to the dorsiflexors and
quadriceps in a small group of children with cerebral palsy had no long term treatment effects.

Reference: van der Linden, Marietta L. PhD; Hazlewood, M Elizabeth MCSP; Hillman, Susan J. MSc, CEng; Robb, James E. MD, FRCS.
(2008) Functional Electrical Stimulation to the Dorsiflexors and Quadriceps in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy.
20(1):23-29.