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Pediatric Acquired Brain Injuries: A Scoping Review of Neuromotor Interventions in Acute Care
Roberta Giustetto1, Martina Allighieri2, Matteo Pirinu3
1IRCCS Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy.
Insights
Early neuromotor interventions for pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) are feasible and safe in acute care. However, inconsistent reporting of intervention parameters highlights the need for standardized protocols and core outcome sets for better evidence synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Acute care for pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) requires effective neuromotor interventions.
- Implementing and characterizing these early interventions presents significant challenges.
- Standardized guidelines are lacking for pediatric ABI neuromotor rehabilitation in acute settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the modalities and characteristics of neuromotor interventions for pediatric ABI in acute care.
- To align interventions with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and FITT criteria.
- To identify gaps in reporting for frequency, intensity, time, and type of interventions.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR framework was conducted.
- Searches included major databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, PEDro) for studies from 2000-2025.
- Inclusion criteria focused on pediatric patients (1 month-18 years) with ABI in acute care settings.
Main Results:
- Five studies out of 3,497 screened articles met the inclusion criteria.
- Interventions included mobilization, visual training, balance, and gait training.
- Intervention 'frequency' and 'type' were consistently reported, but 'time' and 'intensity' were often omitted.
Conclusions:
- Early neuromotor intervention for pediatric ABI in acute care is feasible and safe.
- Methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent parameter reporting necessitate standardized protocols.
- A core outcome set is needed to improve the quality of evidence for pediatric ABI rehabilitation.
Aims:
Acute care is essential for pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI), but finding precise guidelines for implementing and characterizing early neuromotor interventions is challenging. This scoping review explored the modalities and characteristics of neuromotor interventions, aligned with International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and FITT (frequency, intensity, time, and type) criteria, for pediatric populations with ABI in acute care settings.
Methods:
Following PRISMA-ScR framework, searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and PEDro for English studies, limited to primary sources of evidence, published between 2000 and October 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on children aged one month to 18 years with ABI in acute care settings. Two reviewers screened and synthesized data on study characteristics, demographic data, clinical variables and types/characteristics of neuromotor interventions.
Results:
Five of 3,497 screened articles were included. Primary interventions targeted mobilization/visual training (body structures and functions) and balance/gait training (activities). While "frequency" and "type" were consistently reported, "time" and "intensity" were frequently omitted. Outcomes were mixed for traumatic injuries but positive for inflammatory pathologies.
Conclusions:
Early neuromotor intervention for pediatric ABI is feasible and safe, but methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent parameter reporting underscore the need for standardized protocols and a core outcome set.
