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Infant neuromotor assessments: a review and preview of selected instruments
L M Einarsson-Backes1, K B Stewart
1Department of Psychiatry Pregnancy and Health Study, University of Washington, Seattle.
Insights
Neonatal intensive care advances increase infant survival, requiring occupational and physical therapists to use specialized motor assessment tools. This review covers established and emerging infant neuromotor tests for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Infant physical therapy
Background:
- Medical advancements have led to more surviving neonates, creating a new patient population for therapists.
- Therapists in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and follow-up clinics need effective tools for early assessment and intervention.
- There is a growing need for reliable and valid infant motor evaluation instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing infant motor evaluation instruments used by therapists.
- To preview newly developing infant motor assessment tools.
- To provide updated information on psychometric properties and clinical utility.
Main Methods:
- Historical overview of infant neuromotor testing.
- Review of established tests: Infant Neurological International Battery and Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination.
- Description of emerging tests: Chandler Movement Assessment of Infants Screening Test and Miller Infant and Toddler Test.
Main Results:
- Established tests provide a foundation for infant neuromotor assessment.
- Newer tests are under development, offering potential advancements in evaluation.
- Information on psychometric properties and clinical usefulness of new tests is crucial for selection.
Conclusions:
- Therapists require reliable and valid tools for assessing motor skills in neonates.
- Understanding both current and developing assessment instruments is essential for clinical practice.
- The selection of appropriate infant neuromotor tests impacts the effectiveness of early intervention.
Abstract:
The advancement of medical technology has produced an increased number of surviving neonates. Occupational therapists and physical therapists working in neonatal intensive care units and follow-up clinics are faced with the challenge of providing early assessment and treatment for this relatively new population of infants. The purpose of this article is to review selected infant motor evaluation instruments used by therapists and to preview those currently being developed. An overview of the historical background of infant neuromotor testing is provided, followed by a review of the Infant Neurological International Battery (Ellison, Horn, & Browning, 1985) and the Neonatal Neurobehavioral Examination (Morgan, Koch, Lee, & Aldag, 1988). Two infant motor tests currently being developed, the Chandler Movement Assessment of Infants Screening Test and the Miller Infant and Toddler Test (both of which, at the time of this writing, are unpublished) are described. Updated information on the psychometric properties and the clinical usefulness of these new infant neuromotor tests can assist therapists in selecting reliable and valid measures in their clinical practice.