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Paediatrics research

Everything we have read on paediatrics. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,466 PAPERS · PAGE 29 OF 50 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2024Trajectories of Daily Postconcussion Symptoms in Children.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationChildren with moderate or high acute concussion symptoms often had persistent symptoms at 45 days. Specific early symptoms like headache, balance problems, and fogginess predicted slower recovery. Daily symptom monitoring may help identify children needing early rehabilitation referrals.
• PTOTQualitative2024Supportive mobility devices across the lifespan in Cerebral Palsy: a modified Delphi study to establish stakeholder research priorities.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyNine US stakeholders with cerebral palsy, families, and clinicians ranked research priorities for mobility devices. They prioritized trial equipment access, provider training, and shared decision-making. These themes guide future study design, not current clinical practice.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Safety of botulinum toxin injections in children less than one year old: A retrospective chart review.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineIn 47 infants treated with botulinum toxin, only two reported adverse events. One had transient fever and vomiting, and one had mild weakness. No significant systemic issues occurred at doses below 16 U/kg, suggesting the treatment may be safer than feared in this age group.
• PTOTRCT2023Effectiveness of the home-based training program Tele-UPCAT (Tele-monitored UPper Limb Children Action Observation Training) in unilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineChildren with unilateral cerebral palsy who did a 3-week home action observation program had greater improvement in hand use than children receiving usual care, and the improvement was retained at later follow-up.
• OTCohort2024Longitudinal neurocognitive effects of nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplant among older adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease: A description and comparison with sibling donors.Neuropsychological rehabilitationOlder adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease who had low-intensity stem cell transplant showed no decline in overall thinking, memory or attention. Some processing speed and body-symptom scores improved, but siblings improved too, so transplant alone is not proven.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2023Inequities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage for adolescents with and without disability, national immunization Survey-Child COVID module, July 22, 2021-February 26, 2022.Disability and health journalAdolescents with disabilities had lower COVID-19 vaccination coverage than those without. The gap was widest for those with cognitive difficulties or trouble running errands alone. Parents of unvaccinated adolescents with disabilities reported more difficulty accessing vaccines despite higher intent to vaccinate.
• OTQualitative2023"They had the lunch lady coming up to assist": The experiences of menarche and menstrual management for adolescents with physical disabilities.Disability and health journalParents of adolescent girls with physical disabilities said period management was hard because products require both hands, school help is often unavailable, and they wanted more anticipatory guidance from providers.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2024A case series on the effect of dynamic neoprene orthosis on lower limb kinematic variables in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineFive children with crouch gait wore custom neoprene pants for six weeks. Hip and knee flexion decreased during walking, but responses varied widely. No group-level improvement was proven. Results are individual, not generalizable.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Off to the park: a geospatial investigation of adapted ride-on car usage.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyChildren with disabilities drove adapted ride-on cars for longer and further when outdoors. Usage depended heavily on neighborhood accessibility, with children sticking to safe, walkable routes and avoiding inaccessible areas. Assessing local driving paths is essential for successful device provision.
• PTOTCase-Control2023Children With Bilateral Cerebral Palsy Exhibit Bimanual Asymmetric Motor Deficits and EEG Evidence of Dominant Sensorimotor Hemisphere Overreliance During Reaching.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairChildren with bilateral cerebral palsy showed slower, curved reaches and poor hand dexterity with both hands, worse on the non-dominant side. EEG revealed the dominant brain hemisphere worked harder than normal during these movements.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Virtual Reality for Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Comprehensive Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThis review of 32 studies suggests virtual reality can help with breathing exercises for anxiety and lung conditions. Most participants reported feeling more relaxed and better able to control their breathing. However, the studies were small, short-term, and mixed healthy people with patients, so this is not proof that VR works as a standalone treatment.
• PTOTSLPPilot2023Developing a serious game for gaze stability rehabilitation in children with vestibular hypofunction.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren with vestibular hypofunction found a new gaze-stability video game safe and highly satisfying. Their vision during head movements and balance scores improved, but the study combined the game with standard physiotherapy, so the game's specific effect cannot be separated.
• PTOTCase Report2024Oculomotor screening and neuro-visual rehabilitation following pediatric brain tumor resection.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA neuro-visual rehabilitation program using prescribed glasses with tint and prism, eye exercises, and follow-up reduced a visual symptom score from 41 to 29 with normal below 16 after brain tumor surgery in one boy. This is one case, not proof it works.
• OTOther2023The assisting hand assessment for children and youth with brachial plexus birth injury: a study of validity and item hierarchy of AHA-Plex.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA 15-item version of the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA-Plex) reliably measures bimanual hand use in children with brachial plexus birth injury. It correlates almost perfectly with the original 20-item test but scores faster and provides a difficulty hierarchy to guide therapy planning.
• PTOTCohort2024Management of severe congenital femoral deficiency: Does surgical intervention enhance prosthetic function?Prosthetics and orthotics internationalNo significant differences in prosthetic function or quality of life were found between patients with severe congenital femoral deficiency who had surgery and those who did not. A small subgroup undergoing hip reconstruction showed better scores, but the study was too small to confirm this.
• PTOTRCT2024The influence of prehabilitation in patients with liver cirrhosis before liver transplantation: a randomized clinical trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePrehabilitation improved liver frailty and Child-Pugh scores after one month, but very low patient adherence prevented any conclusions at three months. The study could not determine if prehabilitation is more effective than standard care for patients awaiting liver transplantation.
• PTOTCase Report2024Multidisciplinary physical rehabilitation program of individuals with spinal muscular atrophy in an inclusive school setting.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA nine-year-old girl with type 2 SMA improved in sitting and rolling after a year of combined physiotherapy and hippotherapy. She sustained sitting for five minutes and gained strength, but could not walk. This single case cannot prove the treatment works.
• PTOTPilot2024Ankle proprioception in children with cerebral palsy.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with cerebral palsy needed larger ankle position differences to detect movement than peers. However, their consistency in judging positions was normal. This suggests the deficit is a shift in where they perceive neutral, not random error in sensing.
• PTOTCase-Control2023In-depth quantification of bimanual coordination using the Kinarm exoskeleton robot in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren with unilateral cerebral palsy showed impaired bimanual coordination compared to typically developing peers. The ball-on-bar task best distinguished coordination deficits and related them to manual ability, while the object-hit task primarily reflected differences between the hands.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Outcomes following intensive day rehabilitation for young people in Western Australia.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineYoung people in intensive day rehab improved in function and goal attainment, with gains maintained at six months. But with no control group, natural recovery or community therapy may explain some progress, so do not assume the programme alone caused the change.
• OTOther2024Preliminary assessment of a standardized vision screening guideline in a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation unit.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineVision skills and standardized tests were documented more often after a pediatric inpatient rehab unit added a vision screening guideline, but fewer children had any vision screen at initial evaluation.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Whole Body Vibration Therapy for Children with Disabilities: A Survey of Potential Risks and Benefits.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationWhole body vibration machines may pose risks to children with disabilities. Many studies used intensities exceeding safety limits, and long-term effects are unknown. Clinicians should avoid unsupervised use and prioritize low-intensity protocols with strict safety monitoring.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Co-designing solutions to enhance access and engagement in pediatric telerehabilitation.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesFamilies and therapists proposed a pre-session phone call to build rapport and clarify expectations before virtual visits. They suggested summarizing next steps at the end of sessions and tailoring follow-up information to avoid overwhelming parents with generic resources.
• PTOTSLPOther2023A commentary on the healthcare transition policy landscape for youth with disabilities or chronic health conditions, the need for an inclusive and equitable approach, and recommendations for change in Canada.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesYouth with disabilities and clinicians recommend flexible age limits for transfer to adult care, rather than a fixed cutoff. They advise starting transition planning years early and including social and educational supports, not just medical ones.
• OTSLPQualitative2023'If I don't Do It, I'm Out of Rhythm and I Can't Focus As Well': Positive and Negative Adult Interpretations of Therapies Aimed at 'Fixing' Their Restricted and Repetitive Behaviours in Childhood.Journal of autism and developmental disordersFour autistic adults described childhood therapies aimed at stopping harmless stimming as distressing and isolating. They reported that stopping these behaviours disrupted their focus and emotional regulation. Positive outcomes came from supportive relationships and accepting their own needs, not from having their behaviours fixed.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2023Understanding and Supporting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Primary School Classroom: Perspectives of Children with ADHD and their Teachers.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with ADHD often cannot explain their own diagnosis, describing it only as trouble concentrating. Teachers knew the symptoms but missed the cognitive reasons behind them. Both groups relied on visual aids and movement, yet children hid fidgeting strategies from staff.
• OTSLPOther2023Sex as a Moderator Between Parent Ratings of Executive Dysfunction and Social Difficulties in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn girls with autism, higher parent-reported executive difficulty was linked to more social and communication problems. In boys, that link was not seen. Clinicians assessing girls may need to consider executive functioning alongside social communication.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Effects of Intersectionality Along the Pathway to Diagnosis for Autistic Children With and Without Co-occurring Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Nationally-Representative Sample.Journal of autism and developmental disordersBlack non-Hispanic children received ASD diagnoses 10 months later than White non-Hispanic children. Co-occurring depression delayed diagnosis by 13.5 months, while behavioral problems sped it up by 18 months. Wait times averaged two years regardless of whether ADHD was also present.
• OTPilot2023"Stop and just breathe for a minute": perspectives of children on the Autism Spectrum and their caregivers on a Mindfulness Group.Journal of autism and developmental disordersThe 10-week Mindful Movers group did not significantly change anxiety, mindfulness, or wellbeing scores in 10 children. In interviews, children and caregivers described feeling calmer, though some noticed no change.
• OTRCT2023Coping with uncertainty in everyday situations (CUES©) to address intolerance of uncertainty in autistic children: an intervention feasibility trial.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA parent group programme for autistic children's uncertainty was feasible and acceptable. It improved parents' confidence and helped children with specific 'wanted' situations, but showed no significant difference in general child anxiety scores compared to a control group.
• OTSLPCohort2023Structural Connectivity and Emotion Recognition Impairment in Children and Adolescents with Chromosome 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome struggled to identify angry and happy faces, especially when surrounded by fearful faces. Brain scans showed tighter wiring in the right amygdala-fusiform pathway, which partially explained these social and emotional recognition difficulties.
• OTOther2024Moving a missing hand: children born with below elbow deficiency can enact hand grasp patterns with their residual muscles.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationChildren born without a hand produced distinct residual forearm muscle patterns when trying to move the missing hand. Ultrasound readings could tell apart five attempted grasp and wrist patterns in all six participants.
• OTQualitative2023A Qualitative Study on Parental Experience of Involvement in the Transition from Kindergarten to Primary School for Chinese Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children with intellectual disabilities often start the school transition by forcing intense academic training and strict obedience, driven by denial of the diagnosis. When children regressed or resisted, support from family and peers helped parents shift to slower, child-led routines focused on well-being rather than test scores.
• PTOTPilot2023A Remotely Delivered Yoga Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Feasibility and Effectiveness for Improving Skills Related to Physical Activity.Journal of autism and developmental disordersA 12-week remote yoga program improved leg strength, flexibility, and balance in adolescents with autism, but daily physical activity measured by sensors actually decreased. The study lacked a control group, so these changes cannot be attributed to the yoga alone.
• OTOther2023The Associations Between Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Levels and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Journal of autism and developmental disordersIn children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, more light, moderate, or vigorous activity was linked to better quality of life or self-concept. Vigorous activity was linked to lower self-concept. Only 13.7% met the 60-minute moderate-to-vigorous guideline.
• OTOther2024Sensory Reactivity of Infants at Elevated Likelihood of Autism and Associations with Caregiver Responsiveness.Journal of autism and developmental disordersInfants who seemed to miss sensory cues received less caregiver reaction, unless they also showed strong negative reactions. When strong negative reactions were present, more missed cues went with more caregiver reaction.
• PTOTPilot2024Validity and Reliability of a Telehealth Physical Fitness and Functional Assessment Battery for Ambulatory Youth With and Without Mobility Disabilities: Observational Measurement Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesHand grip, sit-to-stand, and timed walk tests matched in-person scores closely when done via video. The home-modified six-minute walk did not match in-person distances and should not be compared to them. No falls occurred.
• OTSLPOther2024Transitions Pop-ups: Co-designing client-centred support for disabled youth transitioning to adult life.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesDisabled youth, families and service providers wanted transition support to start early, connect with peers, and complete one task at a time. The resulting Transitions Pop-ups model offers targeted sessions with adult services, not proof that it improves transition outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Social-Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Emotion Perception in Daily Life and in a Formal Assessment Context.Journal of autism and developmental disordersChildren with ASD, ADHD, and DLD showed similar delays in emotion discrimination and high rates of behavioural problems. Poor voice tone discrimination was linked to having no friends, affecting 32% of the clinical group. These difficulties appeared regardless of specific diagnosis.
• OTOther2024Brief Report: Characterization of Sensory Over-Responsivity in a Broad Neurodevelopmental Concern Cohort Using the Sensory Processing Three Dimensions (SP3D) Assessment.Journal of autism and developmental disorders44 of 82 children with neurodevelopmental concerns had auditory or tactile over-responsivity. Auditory over-responsivity was more common than tactile over-responsivity, and rates did not differ by ASD status.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Social support needs of caregivers rearing children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities at home in Japan.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesCaregivers of children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities most urgently need more places to leave their children for care. They also asked for help with medical tasks at home, support for siblings, and plans for when the caregivers themselves grow old.
• OTSLPCohort2024Exploring the Symptom Profiles of Intolerance of Uncertainty in Autistic Children.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents reported that autistic children struggled more with the emotional distress of uncertainty than with the thoughts or behaviors. This pattern held even when anxiety was absent. Screening for feelings of stress, inability to relax, and sleep problems may identify children needing emotion regulation support.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Distinct Neurodevelopmental Trajectories in Groups of Very Preterm Children Screening Positively for Autism Spectrum Conditions.Journal of autism and developmental disordersVery preterm toddlers who failed two or more critical M-CHAT items had smaller brainstem and cerebellar volumes at term-equivalent age and more autism traits at age 4-7 than those who screened negative. The critical positive group also showed the most severe developmental delay.
• OTSLPRCT2024Effectiveness of a Robot-Assisted Psychological Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of autism and developmental disordersRobot-assisted sessions did not clearly outperform therapist-only sessions. Both groups improved on autism symptoms, social cognition, inhibition and parent-reported problems, but the autism symptom change was too small to matter clinically.
• PTOTOther2024Defining a universal measurement unit and scale for gross motor development.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA new theoretical scale places gross motor tasks on a universal 0-100 unit scale, anchored from supine to walking. It explains 87% of task difficulty variance using body position, movement, and support, but remains unvalidated in typical children.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Assessing Prevalence and Characteristics of Oro-bulbar Involvement in Children and Adults with SMA Type 2 and 3 Using a Multimodal Approach.DysphagiaOro-bulbar impairment is common in SMA types 2 and 3, particularly reduced mouth opening and tongue strength in children and non-ambulant adults. Objective tests often reveal problems that patients do not report, so clinicians should assess swallowing function directly rather than relying on patient complaints.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Examining the Outcomes of Project ECHO® as an Interprofessional Community of Practice for Pediatric Feeding Clinicians.DysphagiaClinicians working with pediatric feeding disorders reported significantly higher confidence after joining a virtual case-based learning network. The program was highly rated for its practical, interactive format, which participants preferred over traditional lectures. Fewer requests for external clinical advice were observed during the program period.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Parent-Therapist Partnership Survey: Parent Feedback and Psychometric Properties.Journal of autism and developmental disordersParents of children receiving school-based therapies rated needs in two areas: being informed and empowered as team members, and needing support and guidance. A 36-item survey can ask these needs directly. It does not show that using it improves child or family outcomes.
• OTSLPCohort2024Heightened Anxiety and Depression Among Autistic Adolescents with ADHD: Findings From the National Survey of Children's Health 2016-2019.Journal of autism and developmental disordersAdolescents with both autism and ADHD have the highest rates of anxiety and depression. Anxiety affects 72% of females and 69% of males with both conditions. Depression affects 39% of females and 38% of males. These rates are far higher than in those with only one condition or neither.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Digital tools for direct assessment of autism risk during early childhood: A systematic review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceDigital tablet and smartphone tasks measuring social preference and motor movements consistently distinguished autistic children from typical peers in 38 pilot studies. These tools are brief and automated, but none are validated for clinical screening yet.