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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.

1,906 PAPERS · PAGE 25 OF 39 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPQualitative2024'It wasn't the strategies on their own': Exploring caregivers' experiences of accessing services in the development of interventions for autistic people with intellectual disability.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceCaregivers of autistic children with severe intellectual disability described accessing support as a constant battle. They highlighted that effective help required individualised assessment, consistency, and collaboration, rather than generic strategies or medication alone. Families felt unsupported when services lacked connection and flexibility.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Cognition, Academic Achievement, Adaptive Behavior, and Quality of Life in Child and Adolescent Boys with Klinefelter Syndrome.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPBoys with Klinefelter syndrome scored lower than matched peers on verbal skills, working memory, and daily adaptive behaviors. They also showed unique links between nonverbal reasoning and quality of life. Testosterone levels did not predict these outcomes in this peripubertal group.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Associations between early language, motor abilities, and later autism traits in infants with typical and elevated likelihood of autism.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchIn infants with a family history of autism, fine motor and expressive language skills influenced each other bidirectionally from 10 to 24 months. Lower receptive language at 24 months and lower gross motor at 36 months predicted higher autistic traits at age 3.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Evidence-informed stakeholder consultations to promote rights-based approaches for children with disabilities.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStakeholders agreed rights-based approaches matter but found academic language too broad to apply in daily practice. Youth reported their rights are limited by inaccessible transport and stigma. Clinicians should translate policy concepts into concrete, routine-focused supports rather than relying on high-level frameworks.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Prevalence and nature of prior developmental and medical concerns in toddlers who screen positive for autism in primary care.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceNearly 80% of toddlers who screened positive for autism already had documented developmental concerns. Motor delays appeared earliest, often before one year. Clinicians should view a positive screen as confirmation of existing concerns rather than a sudden new finding.
• PTOTCohort2023Age-Specific Probability of 4 Major Health Outcomes in Children with Spina Bifida.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPContinence improves with age, but mobility and skin integrity worsen. For children with spina bifida, expect bladder and bowel incontinence to decrease from ages 5 to 19, while the risk of pressure sores and loss of walking ability increases steadily. These trends hold regardless of sex or race.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Elucidating the Perspectives of Autistic Youth About Their Health Care Experiences: A Qualitative Study.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPAutistic youth prioritized sensory accommodations, clear communication, and patient involvement in care decisions. They valued clinicians who offered choices, used visual prompts, and built trust over time. Waiting rooms and unexpected procedures were common barriers to comfort.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024The use of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques in autism spectrum disorder.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchNoninvasive brain stimulation shows mixed results for autism, with some studies reporting improvements in social symptoms and others finding no benefit. Safety data are limited for children. Current evidence is insufficient to support routine clinical use.
• PTOTRCT2024Effectiveness of action observation treatment based on pathological model in hemiplegic children: a randomized-controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineChildren with hemiplegia who watched videos of a hand with similar movement patterns and then copied the actions improved more in spontaneous bimanual hand use immediately after 8 hours of therapy than those who watched typically developed hands. This advantage disappeared by follow-up.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Checks and balances: a meta-analysis on the known-groups validity of functional postural control tests in children.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineTest batteries like the Pediatric Balance Scale best distinguish children with postural deficits from typical peers, while single tasks like the Functional Reach Test often miss them. However, evidence quality is low for all tests, so no single tool is definitive without clinical judgment.
• PTPilot2024Development and Feasibility of an Adolescent Dancer Screen.International journal of sports physical therapyA dance screening protocol was feasible in 32 adolescent dancers, but technique scoring varied widely between raters. It can flag impairments for wellness advice. It does not show that screening prevents injuries.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Evaluating the impact of virtual reality game training on upper limb motor performance in children and adolescents with developmental coordination disorder: a scoping review using the ICF framework.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVirtual reality games for upper limb skills in children with DCD mostly showed no significant improvement. However, children consistently reported high enjoyment. The evidence is limited by small, varied studies that rarely targeted upper limbs specifically.
• PTSurvey2024Spinal manipulation and mobilisation among infants, children, and adolescents: an international Delphi survey of expert physiotherapists.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyExpert physiotherapists reached consensus that spinal manipulation is not appropriate for infants and most children, and that mobilisation is not appropriate for most conditions in infants. Mobilisation was considered appropriate for joint pain, hypomobility, and muscle stiffness in children and adolescents.
• PTOTCohort2024Characterizing ambulatory function in children with PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder.Gait & postureChildren and adults with PPP2R5D-related disorder walk slower and with a wider base of support than peers. They increase speed by lengthening steps rather than stepping faster, suggesting balance deficits limit how they adapt to walking demands.
• PTCohort2024Longitudinal caregiver-reported motor development in infants born at term and preterm.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCaregiver ratings showed infants born preterm scored higher on motor items at the newborn assessment, then lower than infants born at term at 6, 9, and 12 months. Preterm assessments used corrected age.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024A profile of spatial abilities in people with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRPeople with Down syndrome showed uneven spatial abilities compared to ability-matched children. They struggled significantly with understanding horizontality and verticality, and with mentally rotating objects. However, their skills in recognizing static shapes and taking visual perspectives were similar to their matched peers.
• PTOTCohort2024Relationship between the floating toe and the center-of-pressure position in an upright posture among students.Journal of physical therapy scienceChildren with floating toes stood with their weight shifted back toward their heels. A higher center-of-pressure position was linked to better toe contact. This suggests a backward stance may contribute to the condition, though the study only shows an association.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Opportunities for play in paediatric healthcare environments: a scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPlay spaces in hospitals help children cope and connect, but current designs often ignore adolescents and children with disabilities. Therapists should advocate for play opportunities in general areas like hallways and bedrooms, not just designated rooms.
• PTOTSLPQualitative2024Enriching the lives of children with acquired brain injury and their caregivers: experiences from peer mentorship sports camps.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesChildren with brain injury and their caregivers described a sports camp as a way to manage fatigue, build confidence, and reduce isolation. Caregivers reported becoming less overprotective and more hopeful after meeting peer mentors who shared similar experiences.
• PTOther2024Developing and assessing the measurement properties of an instrument to assess the impact of musculoskeletal pain in children aged 9 to 12-the pediatric musculoskeletal pain impact summary score.Brazilian journal of physical therapyA four-item pain impact score in children aged 9 to 12 did not hold together well enough to recommend it for clinical use. It did separate children with frequent pain from those with infrequent pain, but the evidence for it was limited.
• PTOTCohort2024Sitting Capacity and Performance in Infants with Typical Development and Infants with Motor Delay.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsInfants with significant motor delay improved sitting capacity and sitting during play, but typical infants improved more sharply and reached a plateau. A given sitting test score did not mean the same everyday sitting use.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Receptive language and receptive-expressive discrepancy in minimally verbal autistic children and adolescents.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMost minimally verbal autistic children understood more than they could say. Social skills predicted comprehension, while better motor skills linked to a wider gap between understanding and speech. Assess receptive language with parent report, as direct tests often fail to capture ability.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Success or Failure? Are We Meeting the Needs of Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder?Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapieParents of children with DCD in British Columbia report the current system is failing them. Only two in five children receive therapy, and school-based support is rare. Families face high out-of-pocket costs and long waits, while emotional and social struggles are widespread and largely unaddressed.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024The impact for DCD - USA study: The current state of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) in the United States of America.Research in developmental disabilitiesMost families in the USA have sought therapy for their child's coordination difficulties, but only about one in three were currently receiving it. Parents reported significant challenges in obtaining diagnoses and accessing consistent support for school and daily activities.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024School absenteeism in autistic children and adolescents: A scoping review.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic children miss school more often than peers, especially those with co-occurring mental health conditions. Current interventions are small, uncontrolled, and lack evidence of efficacy. Schools should focus on individualized accommodations and early detection rather than relying on proven treatment programs.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Prevalence of intellectual disability among adults born in the 1980s and 1990s in the United States.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRResearchers estimated that 818,564 adults aged 21 to 41 years in the United States have intellectual disability. This represents a prevalence of 0.95%. These figures provide a necessary denominator for tracking adult health services and planning care resources.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Social interaction links active musical rhythm engagement and expressive communication in autistic toddlers.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchAutistic toddlers showed lower active engagement with music than nonautistic peers. In autistic children, higher child music engagement linked to better social skills, while parent-child music-making linked to better expressive communication. These relationships were cross-sectional and did not prove that music interventions cause communication gains.
• PTOther2024Individualized Technique Feedback for Instant Technique Improvements and Knee Abduction Moment Reductions - A New Approach for 'Sidestepping' ACL Injuries?International journal of sports physical therapyImmediate visual feedback, explanations and verbal instructions improved cutting technique in elite female handball players. Foot strike and knee valgus feedback lowered knee abduction moment by 13.4% and 17.1%; vertical velocity feedback did not lower it.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Brain glutathione and GABA+ levels in autistic children.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchBrain scans found no difference in glutathione or GABA levels between autistic and non-autistic children. Higher GABA in motor and thalamus regions correlated with ADHD inattention scores, but this secondary finding was not adjusted for multiple comparisons.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2024Noninvasive analysis of overactive muscle structure and elasticity after botulinum toxin type A injection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineBotulinum toxin injections temporarily improve muscle elasticity at four weeks, but show no structural change at short-term. At long-term, muscle volume decreases in children with cerebral palsy. This suggests caution regarding reinjection timing in this population.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Associations between Executive Functions and Sensorimotor Performance in Children at Risk for Learning Disabilities.Occupational therapy internationalPoor standing balance and weak sentence repetition were the strongest predictors of being at risk for learning difficulties in preschoolers. These two factors predicted risk better than IQ or age, suggesting clinicians should screen for balance and verbal working memory alongside cognitive tests.
• PTOTOther2024The Functional Dexterity Test in Adult Populations: An Exploration of a Simplified Test Protocol and Parameters Guided by Statistical Outcomes.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsA simplified Functional Dexterity Test scored as speed, without penalties, showed dexterity declines linearly with age in healthy adults. Dominant hands were faster by 0.054 pegs per second, and males faster by 0.047 pegs per second.
• PTOTPilot2024A Feasibility Study of a Physical and Occupational Therapy-Led and Parent-Administered Program to Improve Parent Mental Health and Infant Development.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsA therapist-led program teaching parents massage and motor exercises was feasible and acceptable. Parent anxiety, depression, and sense of competence improved significantly from admission to discharge, but without a control group, it is impossible to know if the program caused these changes or if parents simply felt better as their infants improved.
• PTCohort2024Preparation For Flight: The Physical Profile of Pre-Professional and Professional Circus Artists in the United States.International journal of sports physical therapyProfessional circus artists showed better strength and cardiovascular fitness than pre-professionals. Teens had greater shoulder flexibility but more trapezius weakness than adults. These norms help PTs screen readiness and target conditioning for shoulder stability in younger and less experienced performers.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Mapping Effectiveness Studies of Occupational Therapy in Africa: A Scoping Review.Occupational therapy internationalEffectiveness studies of occupational therapy in Africa are emerging, mostly from South Africa. Most reported positive outcomes, particularly in physical rehabilitation and hand therapy. Paediatric evidence was less consistent. Systematic reviews are now feasible to determine actual strength of evidence.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Effectiveness of Robotics in Stroke Rehabilitation to Accelerate Upper Extremity Function: Systematic Review.Occupational therapy internationalRobot-assisted therapy did not significantly speed up overall upper limb recovery compared to conventional therapy alone. However, gains were faster in the first 25 hours, suggesting robots may help early in rehabilitation before progress plateaus.
• PTCohort2024Are Functional Performance Test Scores Better When Compared to Baseline or Contralateral Limb Scores Following LE Injury in Adolescent Athletes?International journal of sports physical therapyFor high school athletes returning from lower limb injury, baseline testing helps detect agility and balance deficits, while comparing limbs helps detect power deficits. No single reference standard works for every test, so choose your comparison based on which test you use.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2024Health and Education Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPChildren with autism experienced significantly more disruptions to therapy and school than peers with other disabilities. They faced greater barriers with telehealth and masking. Clinicians should anticipate that these families may have missed critical interventions and need tailored support to restart care.
• PTOTNarrative Review2023The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's occupations.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTPandemic restrictions disrupted children's occupations: outdoor and structured play fell, screen time rose, sleep became irregular, and remote schooling reduced learning and peer contact. These are patterns, not tested interventions.
• PTOTCohort2024The Targeted Motor Control Screening Tool Is Valid for 4-Year-Old Children.Physical therapyThe Targeted Motor Control screening tool correlates moderately with a detailed assessment in 4-year-olds. A score below 9 flags children at risk of motor delay. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to administer. The sensory items showed weaker agreement than motor items.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2024State-of-the-art therapies for fragile X syndrome.Developmental medicine and child neurologyCurrent therapies for fragile X syndrome manage symptoms but do not cure the underlying genetic cause. Pharmacological options like stimulants and SSRIs target specific behaviors, while gene therapies remain in preclinical stages.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Caregiving occupations, health and well-being of Chinese mothers of children with disabilities living in Australia, Singapore and Taiwan.The British journal of occupational therapyChinese mothers' health and well-being scores did not differ across Australia, Singapore and Taiwan. Mothers who spent time on emotional regulation or behaviour supervision had worse mental health. Therapists should screen for distress in these cases and assess the family support network.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2024Hybrid approaches to allied health services for children and young people: a scoping review.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationHybrid in-person and remote allied health services for children and young people were inconsistently defined and mostly mental health or CBT studies. PT, OT and SLP evidence was sparse, and controlled evidence was limited, so do not assume remote works for hands-on care.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2024Giving insights into an ICF training: evaluation of an in-person interactive ICF training in Germany.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesParticipants reported the training improved their ICF skills and met expectations. However, many struggled with the classification's hierarchical structure and specific qualifiers. Therapists should expect to need extra practice or time to master coding and linking methods.
• PTSurvey2024Sociodemographic factors, health behavior, parental or workplace smoking, and adult asthma risk in the United States.Work (Reading, Mass.)Asthma was reported by 11% of smokers and 8.1% of nonsmokers, with no significant difference. Parental or workplace smoking history and several factors were associated with higher reported asthma.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Autistic preschoolers display reduced attention orientation for competition but intact facilitation from a parallel competitor: Eye-tracking and behavioral data.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic preschoolers looked less at competitive games than peers, yet performed motor and sorting tasks just as fast when competing alongside an adult. Parallel play offers immediate social facilitation benefits even when visual attention to competition is reduced.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024The impact of raising a child with a developmental or physical health condition in Ethiopia.Research in developmental disabilitiesFamilies of children with developmental disabilities in Ethiopia reported significantly lower quality of life than those with physical health conditions. Caregivers of children with greater health loss also reported poorer family well-being, highlighting the need for scaled-up support.
• PTQualitative2024Sport development in rural schools of Lephalale in Limpopo province: Barriers and facilitators.The South African journal of physiotherapyRural school principals and Life Orientation teachers described dusty grounds, little timetable time, heavy workload, small sports budgets and low learner interest as barriers to sport development. They saw more sports codes and physical education as ways to widen participation.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Spinal manipulation and mobilisation in paediatrics - an international evidence-based position statement for physiotherapists.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapySpinal manipulation and mobilisation should not be performed on infants or for non-musculoskeletal conditions like asthma or colic. For adolescents with neck or back pain, these techniques may be appropriate if combined with sound clinical reasoning.
• PTPilot2024A remotely-delivered pilot and feasibility program to promote physical and food literacy in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDA remote pilot program for six teens with intellectual disabilities showed mixed results. Participants improved in ball skills and food knowledge, but locomotor skills declined slightly. Most liked the sports and nutrition sessions, though half disliked home practice, and parents questioned if remote delivery worked well.