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Predictors of Length of Physical Therapy Care for Infants With Congenital Torticollis
Heather R Aker1, Samuel R Pierce, Elizabeth S Moore
1Department of Physical Therapy, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (Drs Aker and Pierce).; The Department of Interprofessional Health and Aging Studies, The University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana (Drs Aker, Martin, and Moore).
Insights
Infants with greater passive and active rotation deficits in torticollis require longer physical therapy. Younger infants at examination were associated with longer care durations, contrary to previous findings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Infantile torticollis is a common condition affecting head and neck alignment in infants.
- Understanding factors influencing the duration of physical therapy is crucial for resource allocation and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of torticollis type, age at examination, and motor skills on the length of physical therapy for infants.
- To identify key predictors for physical therapy length of care in infantile torticollis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for 149 infants diagnosed with torticollis.
- Data collected between November 2018 and November 2021.
- Statistical correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were observed between length of care and torticollis type, age at examination, and active/passive range of motion rotation deficits.
- A regression model indicated that age at examination, active, and passive rotation deficits predicted length of care.
- Higher rotation deficits were associated with longer physical therapy durations.
Conclusions:
- Greater passive and active rotation deficits are linked to extended physical therapy for infantile torticollis.
- Younger age at examination correlated with longer lengths of care, diverging from prior research.
- These findings aid in predicting and managing physical therapy needs for infants with torticollis.
Purpose:
This study explored whether the type of torticollis, amount of tummy time or container time, participant age at examination, and Alberta Infant Motor Scales score influence the length of physical therapy care for infants with torticollis.
Methods:
Data for 149 participants were extracted from medical records for infants with torticollis who received care between November 2018 and November 2021.
Results:
Statistically significant correlations were found between length of care (LOC) and torticollis type, age at examination, active range of motion rotation deficit, and passive range of motion rotation deficit. A multiple regression model predicted LOC from age at examination in days, as well as passive and active rotation deficits.
Conclusion:
Higher passive and active rotation deficits lead to longer LOC. However, longer lengths of care were associated with younger ages at examination, different from earlier studies.
