Citation

Jiang C, de Armendi JT, Smith BA. Pediatr. Phys. Ther. 2016; 28(3): 304-310.

Affiliation

Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (Mss Jiang, Armendi, and Dr Smith), University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

Comment In:

Pediatr Phys Ther Fall;28(3):311.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEP.0000000000000272

PMID

27341579

PMCID

PMC4922547

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the immediate effects of constraining or encouraging positioning devices on leg movement of infants with typical development (TD) and at-risk for developmental delay (AR).

METHODS: Twenty-six infants (13 TD, 13 AR) were placed in the supine position, a jungle gym, or a car seat. Movement sensors on infants' ankles measured acceleration and angular velocity. We calculated the number of leg movements, peak acceleration, and peak rotational rate of each leg movement. A 2 (group) × 3 (condition) analysis of variance with repeated measures on condition tested for a group effect, a condition effect, and a group by condition interaction for leg movement quantity, average peak acceleration, and average peak rotation.

RESULTS: Leg movement quantity and average peak acceleration were significantly lower for the car seat condition compared with the supine position or the gym.

CONCLUSIONS: Positioning device use has an immediate effect on infant leg movement characteristics. Long-term effects remain unknown.

Language: en