Kelly Greve, Dana Chole, Meaghan Rubsam, James B Hedgecock, Yuxiang Li, Nanhua Zhang, Jamie B Hall
{"title":"Variation in Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy Practice in the United States: Results From a National Survey.","authors":"Kelly Greve, Dana Chole, Meaghan Rubsam, James B Hedgecock, Yuxiang Li, Nanhua Zhang, Jamie B Hall","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001229","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001229","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Intensive pediatric physical therapy (PT) programs are increasingly common yet lack a clear definition. This study aimed to examine current practice patterns of intensive pediatric PT in the United States.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A survey was developed and administered using the FITT (frequency, intensity, time, type) model and Knowledge to Action Cycle for pediatric physical therapists providing intensive PT. Survey respondents included pediatric physical therapists providing intensive physical therapy in outpatient, non-acute settings. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and cluster analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty pediatric physical therapists reported intensive programs involved children aged 4-6 years with cerebral palsy (90%), neuromuscular (78%), and neuromotor (44%) disorders. Greatest dose often-always ranged from 2-5 visits per week, ≤60-120 minute sessions over 3-8 weeks. Top interventions included locomotor training (80%), task-specific training (78%), and progressive resistive exercise (76%). Two clusters were identified based on therapist organization and dose.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This first study of intensive pediatric PT revealed marked variability, underscoring the need for a standardized definition to improve clinical care.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"418-428"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144994230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Physical Therapy Management of Vestibular Migraine of Childhood: A Case Report.","authors":"Andrea Hayward, Lisa Farrell, Jane Sweeney","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001230","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This case report presents the successful management of an adolescent with headache, dizziness, vertigo, and unsteadiness using the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (ICHD-3) and International Classification of Vestibular Disorders (ICVD) diagnostic criteria to screen for vestibular migraine of childhood (VMC) and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. The physical therapist (PT) (1) used the diagnostic criteria from the ICHD-3 and the ICVD to determine the etiology, (2) taught protective lifestyle behaviors to reduce migraine symptoms, and (3) modified 2 physical therapy clinical practice guidelines to direct treatment.</p><p><strong>Key points: </strong>The intervention prioritized adopting protective lifestyle behaviors to manage migraine symptoms before introducing exercises targeting vestibular and exertional intolerance symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendations for clinical practice: </strong>The diagnostic criteria helped inform the PT that the symptoms were consistent with VMC, which guided the intervention. Protective lifestyle behaviors and physical therapy strategies proved effective with symptom management.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"495-504"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144975562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ketaki Inamdar, Stacey C Dusing, Leroy R Thacker, Peter E Pidcoe, Sheryl Finucane, Jessica Manning, Virginia W Chu
{"title":"Tummy Time Tracking: Concurrent-Validity of Wearable Sensors in Home Settings for Term and Preterm Infants.","authors":"Ketaki Inamdar, Stacey C Dusing, Leroy R Thacker, Peter E Pidcoe, Sheryl Finucane, Jessica Manning, Virginia W Chu","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001226","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To assess the concurrent validity of 2 wearable sensors, GENEActiv (GA) and MonBaby (MB), for tracking tummy time in full-term and preterm infants at home.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nineteen full-term infants and 13 infants born preterm, aged 3 to 6 months, wore GA and MB sensors during caregivervideo-recorded active play at home over 3 days. Prone (tummy time) durations detected by each sensor were compared to video for validation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both GA and MB sensors demonstrated excellent (κ = 0.86) and substantial (κ = 0.78) second-by-second agreement with video, respectively, for tracking tummy time. For cumulative tummy time, the GA showed higher accuracy with video (GA =60 minutes, video =58 minutes, difference =2 minutes) compared to MB (MB =43 minutes, video =47 minutes, difference =4 minutes). No differences in accuracy were found between the 2 sensors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Wearable sensors can accurately track tummy time at home and can support adherence to movement guidelines in infants. Establishing caregiver feasibility is crucial for broader use.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"456-463"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144975735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebecca Sherrier, Jennifer Brilmyer, Amy O'Donnell, Joseph Schreiber, Deanna Hamilton, John Dimoff
{"title":"A Qualitative Analysis of the Implementation of an Intensive Model of Physical Therapy for Children.","authors":"Rebecca Sherrier, Jennifer Brilmyer, Amy O'Donnell, Joseph Schreiber, Deanna Hamilton, John Dimoff","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001221","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To explore the long-term impacts of an intensive physical therapy program, as perceived by caregivers and children.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured interviews were completed with 7 caregivers and 1 child. The data from these interviews were analyzed by an interdisciplinary coding team comprised of 3 physical therapists and 2 psychologists. Rapid qualitative inquiry (RQI) was used, which relies on intensive teamwork, iterative data analysis, and triangulation from multiple sources to get insiders' perspectives.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Interviewees had positive experiences in the Intensity Program which they believed led to long-term and positive impacts in physical, psychological, and social functioning. Even though the program was challenging, and certain parts of it could be improved, interviewees were pleased with it.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Interviewees perceived that the benefits of intensive physical therapy may persist for over a year following the completion of such a program. Perceived benefits of participating in an intensive program seem to outweigh the challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"430-436"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144822983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Isabella Pessóta Sudati, Ana Karina de Campos Carreira, Ana Carolina de Campos
{"title":"Commentary on \"Physical Therapists' Perceptions of Implementing and Sustaining Pediatric Intensive Physical Therapy Programs: A Survey Study\".","authors":"Isabella Pessóta Sudati, Ana Karina de Campos Carreira, Ana Carolina de Campos","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001225","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001225","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":"37 4","pages":"417"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Commentary on \"Parent-Reported Container Use Relates to Infants' Motor Development\".","authors":"Yuping Chen, Nikki Smelser","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001238","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001238","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":"37 4","pages":"446"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Commentary on \"Tummy Time Tracking: Concurrent-Validity of Wearable Sensors in Home Settings for Term and Preterm Infants\".","authors":"Julie M Orlando, Julie C Skorup, Samantha R Dunn","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001233","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001233","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":"37 4","pages":"464"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ginny Paleg, Dayna Pool, Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles, David Frumberg, Roslyn Livingstone, Diane Damiano
{"title":"Where's the Evidence? Challenging Therapists to Stop Legitimizing Dynamic Movement Intervention and Cuevas Medek Exercises.","authors":"Ginny Paleg, Dayna Pool, Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles, David Frumberg, Roslyn Livingstone, Diane Damiano","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001261","DOIUrl":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) and Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME) are promoted as innovative neurorehabilitation methods for children with neurological disabilities, yet both rely on outdated reflex-hierarchical models rather than contemporary motor learning principles. A review of the literature reveals that CME, despite 5 decades of use, is supported only by a few case reports and 2 small, biased comparative studies. DMI, introduced in 2021, has no published empirical evidence beyond a single conference abstract. Thus, both interventions remain at Sackett Level 5-no evidence. The ethical implications are substantial. Families often pay thousands for intensive, noncovered therapies that may displace meaningful participation in education and social life. Therapists have a professional responsibility to avoid legitimizing unproven practices and to prioritize interventions supported by robust evidence. Pediatric rehabilitation should shift toward child-led, functional, and task-specific approaches grounded in modern motor learning science, with professional bodies and insurers withholding endorsement of nonevidence-based methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145126333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julie M Orlando, Mariola Moeyaert, Zainab S Alghamdi, Michele A Lobo
{"title":"Enhanced Play Education for Parents Can Positively Impact Development in Infancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Julie M Orlando, Mariola Moeyaert, Zainab S Alghamdi, Michele A Lobo","doi":"10.1097/PEP.0000000000001248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000001248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate feasibility and effect of Enhanced Play Education (EPE) on development relative to Usual Play Education (UPE) for infants of varying abilities. EPE encouraged child-initiated movement, problem-solving with objects, and responsive communication; UPE reflected popular education.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were randomly assigned to the UPE or EPE group and received written, illustrated instructions to perform their play activities 15 minutes daily. Standardized developmental assessments occurred at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and 1 and 2 months later.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Forty-nine infants (M = 3.5 months; 35 with typical development; 14 at risk of developmental delays) and 44 parents were enrolled. Both interventions were feasible. Infants with typical development had greater cognitive and supine gross motor improvements after EPE; infants at risk had greater gross motor improvements after EPE.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Educating parents to engage in quality play activities may be an effective method to advance early motor and cognitive outcomes for young infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":49006,"journal":{"name":"Pediatric Physical Therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145126279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}