Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
A randomized-controlled trial of parent-administered interventions to improve short-term motor outcomes in
L Letzkus1, M Conaway2, R Daugherty3
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Pediatrics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Insights
Parent-led motor interventions did not significantly improve short-term motor outcomes in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants compared to usual care. Further research is needed to explore their effectiveness and broader implementation for premature infants at risk for cerebral palsy (CP).
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Research
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Premature infants, particularly those with very low birthweight (VLBW), face an elevated risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
- Early, parent-administered motor-focused interventions show potential for improving motor outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term motor outcomes and risk for CP in VLBW infants.
- To compare multimodal motor-focused interventions delivered by parents against usual care.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial design was employed, comparing an intervention group with a control group receiving usual care.
- Infants under 32 weeks gestational age and/or weighing less than 1500 grams were included.
- Motor outcomes were assessed at 3 months postmenstrual age using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Evaluation (HINE), General Movement Assessment (GMA), and Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP).
Main Results:
- A total of 70 VLBW infants were enrolled; however, follow-up data at 3 months postmenstrual age was available for 25 infants in the intervention group and 26 in the control group.
- Lower-than-expected follow-up rates were partly attributed to COVID-19 restrictions.
- No significant differences were observed between the intervention and control groups in HINE, GMA, or TIMP scores at 3 months postmenstrual age.
Conclusions:
- Current multimodal, parent-delivered motor interventions did not demonstrate a significant short-term benefit for VLBW infants' motor development.
- Further investigation is warranted to refine these interventions and assess their potential for improving motor outcomes and reducing CP risk.
- The broader implementation of evidence-based, parent-centered interventions into routine neonatal care requires additional evaluation.
Background:
Premature infants are at increased risk for cerebral palsy (CP). Early interventions with a motor focus and administered by parents may improve motor outcomes.
Aims:
Secondary study evaluating the short-term motor outcomes and risk for CP in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants randomized to multimodal interventions with a motor focus provided by parents versus usual care.
Study Design:
Randomized controlled trial (intervention vs. usual care (control group)).
Subjects:
Infants (<32 weeks' gestational age (GA) and/or <1500 grams birthweight) born between March 2019 and October 2020.
Outcome Measures:
Short-term motor outcomes and risk for CP was evaluated using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Evaluation (HINE, primary motor outcome), the General Movement Assessment (GMA) and the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) at 3 months' postmenstrual age (PMA).
Results:
70 participants were enrolled (GA 28.3±2.7 weeks, birthweight 1139.2±376.6 grams, 64.3% male). The in-person follow-up rate was 73%, lower than expected, in part due to COVID-19 restrictions, resulting in 25 infants (intervention) and 26 infants (control) with outcome data available for analysis. There was not a significant difference in the HINE, GMA or TIMP at 3 months' PMA between groups.
Conclusion:
Multimodal interventions with a motor focus and provided by parents need further investigation to determine if they can improve short-term motor outcomes in VLBW infants. These interventions are evidence-based and the evaluation of broader implementation into routine care is also needed.
