Question
What are the strongest evidence-based intervention strategies for motor skill acquisition in infants identified as high risk for CP?
Answer
Intervention for infants at high risk for CP should prioritize practices with strong evidence to maximize the window of neuroplasticity. Highly recommended (Level Green) strategies include Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) for unilateral presentations, and Task-Specific Motor Training. These should involve daily repeated practice that is appropriately challenging and enjoyable for the child. Additionally, the principles of On-Time Mobility advocate for providing access to mobility (supported sitting/standing, as well as early power mobility) at the same developmental age as their peers.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Early Detection Of Cerebral Palsy: Best Practices And The Role Of Therapy Providers, presented by Maria Baldino, OTD, MS, OTR/L, BCP, Lindsay Moore, PT, DPT, PCS.
Continued and its subsidiaries provide professional education authored by qualified Subject Matter Experts for continuing education purposes. These materials are intended for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical judgment. Continued is not a clinical healthcare provider; the licensed professional is solely responsible for ensuring that the application of any techniques or information presented is within their legal scope of practice and jurisdictional requirements.
