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Stretching treatment for infants with congenital muscular torticollis: physiotherapist or parents? A randomized pilot
Anna Ohman1, Staffan Nilsson, Eva Beckung
1Department of Physiotherapy, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, SE-416 85 Gothenburg, Sweden. anna.ohman@vgregion.se
Insights
Physical therapists achieved better neck range of motion (ROM) in infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) faster than parents. This suggests specialized physical therapy may expedite recovery for CMT patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common condition in infants characterized by neck muscle tightness.
- Early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes in infants with CMT.
- The effectiveness of different treatment approaches, particularly the role of physical therapists versus parental involvement, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the time required to achieve satisfactory neck range of motion (ROM) in infants diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).
- To evaluate the efficacy of stretching treatments administered by physical therapists versus those performed by parents.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving 20 infants with CMT, equally divided between male and female participants.
- Infants were assigned to either a physical therapist-led stretching group or a parent-led stretching group.
- Treatment continued until a good ROM (rotation ≥ 90°, no side difference in lateral flexion) was achieved, with treatment time as the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- The physical therapist group achieved the desired neck ROM significantly faster than the parent group (P < .001).
- Symmetrical head posture was also attained more quickly in infants receiving treatment from physical therapists (P = .03).
Conclusions:
- Infants with CMT treated by experienced physical therapists demonstrated improved neck ROM and head posture approximately two months earlier compared to those treated by parents.
- While promising, these findings stem from a small study, necessitating cautious interpretation and further research to validate the results.
Objective:
To investigate the time needed to achieve a good result in the range of motion (ROM) in the neck for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT).
Design:
Comparison of stretching treatments performed by physical therapists and parents.
Participants:
Twenty infants (10 female and 10 male) with CMT.
Method:
The infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Stretching treatment was continued until a good ROM was obtained in both rotation (≥ 90°) and lateral flexion (no side difference). The main outcome measurement was treatment time. The infants were evaluated for ROM in rotation and lateral flexion, muscle function in the lateral flexor muscles of the neck, plagiocephaly, and head tilt.
Results:
The time needed to achieve a good result according to the ROM in the neck was significantly shorter (P < .001) in the physical therapist group than in the parent group. Symmetrical head posture was achieved sooner (P = .03) in the physical therapist group.
Conclusion:
Infants with CMT gained good ROM and symmetric head posture approximately 2 months sooner when treated by an experienced physical therapist; however, interpretation of the results of this small study should be guarded. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
