A systematic review of portable technologies for the early assessment of motor development in infants

Abstract

Early screening and evaluation of infant motor development are crucial for detecting motor deficits and enabling timely interventions. Traditional clinical assessments are often subjective, without fully capturing infants’ “real-world” behavior. This has sparked interest in portable, low-cost technologies to objectively and precisely measure infant motion at home, with a goal of enhancing ecological validity. In this systematic review, we explored the current landscape of portable, technology-based solutions to assess early motor development (within the first year), outlining the prevailing challenges and future directions. We reviewed 66 publications, which utilized video, sensors, or a combination of technologies. There were three key applications of these technologies: (1) automating clinical assessments, (2) illuminating new measures of motor development, and (3) predicting developmental outcomes. There was a promising trend toward earlier and more accurate detection using portable technologies. Additional research and demographic diversity are needed to develop fully automated, robust, and user-friendly tools. Registration & Protocol OSF Registries https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/R6JAE.