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Aim: To study changes in muscular postural strategies and general motor behaviour during the transition to independent walking. Postural control was assessed at its two functional levels: (1) direction specificity, in which dorsal muscles are primarily activated when reaching forward; and (2) fine-tuning of direction specificity.Method: In an explorative longitudinal study, surface electromyograms of the arm, trunk, and neck muscles of 28 typically developing infants were recorded during reaching while sitting. Each infant was assessed in three developmental phases: during pull-to-stand (T0), first independent steps (T1), and 1 month after T1 (T2). Motor behaviour was assessed using the Infant Motor Profile (IMP). The effect on developmental outcome measures (postural parameters and IMP) of the developmental phases (T0, T1, T2) was estimated using linear mixed-effects models.Results: None of the postural parameters changed significantly over time. However, individual developmental trajectories showed infant-specific postural reorganizational changes. Total IMP score decreased between T0 and T1 (mean IMP score 95% and 91% respectively; p<0.001); between T1 and T2 IMP scores did not change (91% and 93%; p=0.073).Interpretation: Typically developing infants do not show consistent patterns of postural reorganization but show individual muscular strategies during the transition to independent walking. However, signs of reorganization of general motor behaviour are present.What This Paper Adds: Infants show signs of reorganization of motor behaviour when learning to walk. Infants show individual strategies of postural reorganization when learning to walk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: First, to systematically review the evidence on the effect of intervention applied during the first postnatal year in infants with or at very high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) on child and family outcome. Second, to assess whether type and dosing of intervention modify the effect of intervention.Method: Relevant literature was identified by searching the PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Selection criteria included infants younger than 12 months corrected age with or at very high risk of CP. Methodological quality including risk of bias was scrutinized.Results: Thirteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies with moderate to high methodological quality were analysed in detail; they evaluated neurodevelopmental treatment only (n=2), multisensory stimulation (n=1), developmental stimulation (n=2), and multifaceted interventions consisting of a mix of developmental stimulation, support of parent-infant interaction, and neurodevelopmental treatment (n=2). The heterogeneity precluded conclusions. Yet, two suggestions emerged: (1) dosing may be critical for effectiveness; (2) multifaceted intervention may offer best opportunities for child and family.Interpretation: The literature on early intervention in very high-risk infants with sufficient methodological quality is limited, heterogeneous, and provides weak evidence on the effect. More studies are urgently needed. Suggestions for future research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]