Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years: effects of a new intervention program in infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy; a
Tjitske Hielkema1, Elisa G Hamer, Heleen A Reinders-Messelink
1Beatrix Children's Hospital - Division of Developmental Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. t.hielkema@developmentalneurology.com
Insights
This study compares the new COPCA (Coping with and Caring for infants with special needs) program to traditional physiotherapy for infants at high risk for cerebral palsy. It aims to determine which intervention yields better developmental outcomes for children and families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Infants at high risk for cerebral palsy (CP) require physiotherapy, but evidence for efficacy is limited.
- A new family-centered program, COPCA (Coping with and Caring for infants with special needs), has been developed with educational and motor goals.
- Previous research suggests the COPCA approach improves developmental outcomes in at-risk infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the COPCA program versus traditional infant physiotherapy (TIP) in infants at very high risk for CP.
- To assess the effects of both interventions on motor, cognitive, and daily functioning of children and their families.
- To gain insight into the working mechanisms of early intervention methods.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (NTR1428) involving infants aged 1-9 months.
- Infants were randomized to receive either COPCA or TIP, with weekly sessions for one year.
- Outcomes were measured at baseline, during/after intervention, and at 21 months corrected age, using the Infant Motor Profile as the primary outcome.
Main Results:
- Primary outcome: Infant Motor Profile (qualitative motor behavior).
- Secondary outcomes: activities, participation, body functions/structures, family functioning, quality of life, and working mechanisms.
- Physiotherapy sessions were video-recorded to quantify actions and relate them to outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years study evaluates COPCA and TIP for infants at high risk for cerebral palsy.
- Findings will enhance understanding of early intervention for children with CP.
- This knowledge is crucial for providing tailored support to children with CP and their families.
Background:
It is widely accepted that infants at risk for cerebral palsy need paediatric physiotherapy. However, there is little evidence for the efficacy of physiotherapeutic intervention. Recently, a new intervention program, COPCA (Coping with and Caring for infants with special needs - a family centered program), was developed. COPCA has educational and motor goals. A previous study indicated that the COPCA-approach is associated with better developmental outcomes for infants at high risk for developmental disorders. LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years evaluates the efficacy and the working mechanisms of the COPCA program in infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy in comparison to the efficacy of traditional infant physiotherapy in a randomized controlled trial. The objective is to evaluate the effects of both intervention programs on motor, cognitive and daily functioning of the child and the family and to get insight in the working elements of early intervention methods.
Methods/Design:
Infants are included at the corrected age of 1 to 9 months and randomized into a group receiving COPCA and a group receiving traditional infant physiotherapy. Both interventions are given once a week during one year. Measurements are performed at baseline, during and after the intervention period and at the corrected age of 21 months. Primary outcome of the study is the Infant Motor Profile, a qualitative evaluation instrument of motor behaviour in infancy. Secondary measurements focus on activities and participation, body functions and structures, family functioning, quality of life and working mechanisms. To cope with the heterogeneity in physiotherapy, physiotherapeutic sessions are video-recorded three times (baseline, after 6 months and at the end of the intervention period). Physiotherapeutic actions will be quantified and related to outcome.
Discussion:
LEARN 2 MOVE 0-2 years evaluates and explores the effects of COPCA and TIP. Whatever the outcome of the project, it will improve our understanding of early intervention in children with cerebral palsy. Such knowledge is a prerequisite for tailor-made guidance of children with CP and their families.
Trial Registration:
The trial is registered under NTR1428.
