Search

Abstract Introduction Identifying sensory processing problems of 12‐month‐old preterm and term children and defining their relationship with motor skills are essential for appropriate interventions and optimal sensory‐motor development. This study aimed to determine sensory processing difficulties in 12‐month‐old babies and examine their relationship with motor skills. Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 61 infants (28 preterm and 33 full‐term, ages 12 months). The infants' sensory processing skills were evaluated using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI), and their gross and fine motor skills were assessed with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales‐2 (PDMS‐2). Results: Sensory processing difficulties were more common in preterm babies. Multiple linear regression models indicated a significant positive association between PDMS‐2 gross/fine motor scores and TFSI total scores, reactivity to tactile deep pressure, and ocular‐motor control in the total sample. Furthermore, there was a relationship between gross motor and adaptive motor function, and fine motor scores were found to be associated with visual‐tactile integration sensory scores. Conclusions Preterm babies are more likely than their full‐term peers to have sensory processing problems around the age of one, which can affect their motor skills. The results support the relationship between children's sensory and motor processing skills. Practitioners such as occupational and physical therapists should be alert to this relationship in infants with sensory processing and motor problems. Taking this relationship into consideration when planning intervention programs can be a guide for an effective intervention.

Abstract Background Researchers have attempted to automate the spontaneous movement assessment and have sought quantitative and objective methods over the past decade. The purpose of the study was to present a quantitative assessment method of spontaneous movement using center-of-pressure (COP) movement analysis. Methods A total of 101 infants were included in the study. The infants were placed in the supine position on the force plate with the cranial-caudal orientation. In this position, the recording of video and COP movement data were made simultaneously for 3 min. Video recordings were used to observe global and detailed general movement assessment (GMA), and COP time series data were used to obtain quantitative movement parameters. Results According to the global GMA, 13 infants displayed absent fidgety movements (FMs) and 88 infants displayed normal FMs. The binary logistic regression model indicated significant association between global GMA and COP movement parameters (chi-square = 20.817, p

Introduction: Hamstring injuries are common in physically active people and athletes. Lack of hamstring flexibility is the one of the most important characteristics of hamstring injuries in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of three different stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in professional football players. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five male football players between the ages of 18–20 years old were involved in the study. The participants were divided into 3 groups: static stretching, neuromobilization and Mulligan traction straight leg raise (TSLR), respectively. Each participant’s dominant lower extremity was assessed with a straight leg raise test (SLR) using a goniometer before and after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in the SLR range of motion before and after the intervention in all groups. There was no difference in the range of SLR between the groups at the beginning and at the end. However, the increase in the SLR range of motion was significantly higher in the Mulligan TSLR group. Conclusions: It was concluded that all 3 stretching techniques are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility in football players. However, the Mulligan TSLR technique could provide a greater increase in the range of motion than other techniques.

Background: There is no evidence regarding the effects of reflexology on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. This study was planned to investigate the effects of reflexology combined with neurodevelopmental therapy on constipation and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Forty children between the ages of 3 and 15 years with cerebral palsy within levels 3/4/5 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups. While children in Group 1 received neurodevelopmental therapy, children in Group 2 also received reflexology. The therapy continued for two sessions per week for 8 weeks. Each session of neurodevelopmental therapy lasted for 45–60 min and reflexology took around 20 min. Motor performance of the children was evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) while constipation was assessed with the Modified Constipation Assessment Scale (MCAS). Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the GMFM scores after therapy (

Abstract Background Immature central nervous system, extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, and sensory experience deficiency may contribute to oral and gross motor delay in preterm infants. Current study aimed to investigate oral and motor development in preterm infants. Methods Twenty-nine preterm infants and 28 term infants were evaluated within the scope of the study. Oral motor feeding development was assessed with the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment, and motor development was evaluated with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. All analyses were performed using SPSS 22. The study was approved by the Gazi University Clinical Researches Ethics Committee (no: 25901600–23). Results There was a correlation between the Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment categories (solid, semisolid, cracker, puree, bottle, and cup) and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale score (p

Abstract Objective Recent literature suggests that goal‐oriented and family‐based interventions in enriched environment have a beneficial effect on neuromotor and cognitive development. We aimed to examine the short‐term effects of SAFE (Sensory strategies, Activity‐based motor training, Family collaboration, and Environmental Enrichment) early intervention approach on motor, cognitive, speech and language, and sensory development in preterm infants. Methods The study's sample population consisted of 24 preterm infants with corrected ages between 9 and 10 months. Infants in the control group participated in the family training program in accordance with the neurodevelopmental therapy principles (NDT). Infants in the treatment group were included in the family training program according to the principles of the SAFE Early Intervention Approach. Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development‐Infant Scale (AHEMD‐IS), Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (Bayley III) were used to evaluate infants in both groups before and after 10 weeks of treatment (AHEMD‐IS). The Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale Short Form was used to assess the parents’ mental health (DASS‐SF). Results The interaction effects (time × group) revealed significant differences for Bayley‐III cognitive and language scores, TSFI total score, and AHEMD‐IS total score in favor of the SAFE group (p .05). Conclusions SAFE early intervention approach improved cognitive, speech and language, sensory outcomes and provide enriched home environment in all domains when compared to NDT‐based home program. SAFE is a promising novel early intervention approach for preterm infants.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants., Method: We included 30 preterm and 30 term infants with corrected and chronological ages between 10 and 12 mo. We used the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants to evaluate sensory processing and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale to evaluate motor development., Results: The Spearman correlation test indicated a strong positive relationship between sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants (r = .63, p < .001)., Conclusion: Given the relationship between sensory processing and motor development in the preterm group, the evaluation of sensory processing and motor development in preterm infants was considered necessary for the effective implementation of physiotherapy assessment and interventions., (Copyright © 2018 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.)