Changes in the Content of Pediatric Physical Therapy for Infants: A Quantitative, Observational Study.

Aims: The aim of our observational longitudinal study is to evaluate changes over time in standard pediatric physical therapy (PPT) for infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods: Treatment sessions in two time periods (2003-2005 [n = 22] and 2008-2014 [n = 16]) were video recorded and analyzed quantitatively in five categories: neuromotor actions, educational actions, communication, position, and situation of treatment session. Differences in percentages of time spent on therapeutic actions between periods were tested with Mann-Whitney U and Hodges Lehmann's tests. Results: No significant changes appeared in the main categories of neuromotor actions. Time spent on not-specified educational actions toward caregivers (median from 99% to 81%, p =.042) and not-specified communication (median from 72% to 52%, p =.002) decreased. Consequently, time spent on specific educational actions (caregiver training and coaching; median from 1% to 19%, p =.042) and specific communication (information exchange, instruct, provide feedback; median from 21% to 38%, p =.007) increased. Infant position changed only minimally: time spent on transitions—that is, change of position—decreased slightly over time (median from 7% to 6%, p =.042). Situation of treatment session did not change significantly over time. Conclusions: Neuromotor actions in PPT remained largely stable over time. Specific educational actions and communication increased, indicating larger family involvement during treatment sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]