Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
New Approaches in Motor Intervention for Infants Aged 0-2 Years with or at High Risk of Unilateral or Bilateral
Laura Beccani1, Monica Valle2, Sara Damilano3
1Pediatric Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Insights
Early motor interventions for infants with cerebral palsy (CP) show promise, emphasizing family-centered approaches. More research is needed on earlier timing and standardized outcomes for optimal results.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Early motor intervention is crucial for infants with or at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
- Recent evidence on interventions for infants aged 0-2 years needs synthesis.
- Identifying knowledge gaps in early CP management is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review recent evidence on early motor interventions for infants (0-2 years) with or at high risk of CP.
- To identify current gaps in the research landscape of early motor interventions for cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus (Jan 2020 - Oct 2024).
- Included Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), non-randomized trials, and cohort studies of infants aged 0-2 years receiving early motor interventions.
- Risk of bias assessed using Rob2 Checklist; protocol registered on PROSPERO (ID 506784).
Main Results:
- Four RCTs (six articles) were included; most participants were ~12 months old, with limited data on infants <3 months.
- No consistent superiority of experimental interventions over standard care, but within-group improvements noted.
- Limitations include outcome measure heterogeneity, limited use of CP-specific tools, and insufficient functional outcome assessment.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports a shift towards family-centered early motor interventions with active child and caregiver engagement.
- Identified core principles: early initiation, task specificity, active experience, guided support, and engagement.
- Future research should prioritize earlier intervention timing, standardized outcomes, and caregiver-focused results.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Early motor intervention is increasingly recognized as a critical component in the management of infants with, or at high risk of, cerebral palsy (CP). This systematic review aimed to synthesize recent evidence on early motor interventions in infants aged 0-2 years and to identify current gaps in knowledge. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review across PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Scopus. Studies published between 1 January 2020 and 5 October 2024 were included. Eligible studies were Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), non-randomized trials, and cohort studies that involved infants aged 0-2 years diagnosed with CP or classified as at high risk of CP who received early motor interventions targeting motor outcomes. Study selection and data extraction were executed by two independent reviewers following standardized protocols. The Rob2 Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. This systematic review protocol was registered on PROSPERO with the ID 506784. Results: Six articles representing four RCTs were included. Although intervention protocols varied, shared therapeutic principles emerged across studies. Most participants were approximately 12 months old; only one study included infants younger than 3 months, highlighting limited evidence in the earliest detectable risk period. No consistent superiority of experimental interventions over standard care was observed; however, notable within-group improvements in motor and developmental domains were reported across both study arms. Major limitations included heterogeneity of outcome measures, limited use of CP-specific standardized tools, and insufficient assessment of functional and goal-based outcomes. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates a shift toward meaningful, family-centered early motor interventions, emphasizing active participation and parental involvement. Five core principles were identified: early initiation, task specificity, active experience, guided support, and engagement of both the child and caregivers. Future research should focus on earlier intervention timing, standardized outcome measures, and caregiver-related outcomes to optimize early intervention strategies during critical developmental windows.
