Research on Pediatric Occupational and Physical Therapy

RECENT RESEARCH AND LINKS

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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

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

Go to recent research and links from November 2007

Probability of Walking with CP
Pediatrics reports that in Europe 54% of all children with cerebral palsy are walking independently by age
5. Walking ability was related to type of cerebral palsy. Statistical analysis showed that intellectual
capabilities was the strongest variable associated with walking ability. Other factors also influenced
walking ability such as epilepsy, vision and h

Reference: Beckung, Eva, Hagberg, Gudrun, Uldall, Peter, Cans, Christine, for Surveillance of Cerebral
Palsy in Europe, Probability of Walking in Children With Cerebral Palsy in Europe Pediatrics 2008 121:
e187-e192

FEBRUARY 2008 RECENT RESEARCH:

Autism and Thimerosal
The latest issue of Archives of General Psychiatry reports that even though thimerosal has been removed
from vaccines in California the autism rates continue to rise. The researchers concluded that thimerosal
can not be the primary cause of autism.

Reference: Robert Schechter; Judith K. Grether Continuing Increases in Autism Reported to California's
Developmental Services System: Mercury in Retrograde Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(1):19-24.

Epilepsy and BMD
Neurology journal reports that children who are treated with anti epileptic medication for epilepsy have
significant bone mineral density deficits. The authors discuss how this may be a potential cause for the
increase in risk of fractures in children with epilepsy.

Reference: Sheth, Raj D., Binkley, Neil, Hermann, Bruce P. Progressive bone deficit in epilepsy.
Neurology 2008 70: 170-176

Treadmill training and Downs Syndrome
The current issue of Gait and Posture reports that children with Down's syndrome who participated in high
intensity individualized treadmill training prior to independent ambulation exhibited higher velocity and
cadence when walking at a one year follow up gait analysis when compared to children with Down's
syndrome who participated in a low intensity general treadmill training program. Both groups significantly
reduced foot rotation.

Reference: Angelo-Barroso, R., Wu, J., and Ulrich, D. (2008) Long-term effect of different treadmill
interventions on gait development in new walkers with Down syndrome . Gait and Posture 27(2):
231-238.

Pain and Cerebral Palsy
The Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics reports that whole body bone scans can be beneficial in diagnosing
causes of pain in children with cerebral palsy who are non communicative. In this study, children with
spastic quadriplegia who were non verbal with low cognitive/ motor skills were evaluated following pain for
one week. The bone scan was positive for 53% of the 45 patients (average age 13.5 years old) which
resulted in diagnoses such as fractures, painful hardware, sinusitis, obstructed kidney and infections.

Reference: Bajelidze, G., Belthur, M., Littelton, A et al. (2008) Diagnostic Evaluation Using Whole-Body
Technetium Bone Scan in Children With Cerebral Palsy and Pain. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.
28(1):112-117.

Go to recent research and links from Dece mber 2007

Go to recent research and links from January 2008

Predicting Gross Motor Abilities in infants with CP
The European Journal of Paediatric Neurology reports that scores on the Hammersmith Infant
Neurological Examination (HINE) at 3-6 months of age correlates with Gross Motor Function Classification
System at 2 years of age. Infants who scored below 40 on the HINE at 3-6 months were at GMFCS levels
III, IV and V at two years of age. Infants with scores between 40-60 on the HINE mostly were at GMFCS
levels I and II at two years of age.

Reference: Romeo, D., Cioni, M, Scoto, M et al (2008) Neuromotor development in infants with cerebral
palsy investigated by the Hammersmith during the first year of age. European Journal of Paediatric
Neurology 12 (1):24-31.

OI and Physical Training
The Journal of Pediatrics reports that physical training of children with osteogenesis imperfecta (type I and
IV) resulted in improved aerobic capacity and muscle force. The participants subjective fatigue level also
decreased with training. Measurements were again taken at 3 and 6 months after the 12 week training
program. At that time there was a significant decrease in the previous improvements that were noted.

Reference: Van Brussel, M, Takken, T., Uiterwaal, C. et al (2008) Physical Training in Children with
Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Journal of Pediatrics 152(1): 111-116.

ITB and UE Use in CP
The Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics reports that 20 children with spastic cerebral palsy (mean age 11.4
years old) treated with intrathecal baclofen pumps showed a decrease in upper limb spasticity. After one
year the children showed varying degrees of improvement in range of movement, target accuracy and
fluency when evaluated with the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function scale.

Reference: Motta, Francesco MD; Stignani, Cecilia PT; Antonello, Clara E. PT (2008) Upper Limb Function
After Intrathecal Baclofen Treatment in Children With Cerebral Palsy. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics.
28(1):91-96, January/February 2008.

Wake Up Time and Physical Activity Level of Children
A recent study reports that children with an earlier wake up time were more physically active during the day
when compared to children who slept later.

Reference: Kohyama, J (2007) Early Rising Children are More Active than Late Risers. Neuropsychiatric
Disease and Treatment 3(6).