TOPIC

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 38 OF 39 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSystematic Review2023Active mobility, active participation: a systematic review of modified ride-on car use by children with disabilities.Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technologyChildren as young as 7 months activated modified ride-on cars, and a majority enjoyed using them. No adverse events were reported. The evidence is very weak, so treat these findings as promising rather than proven.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2022The Short-term Effects of Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-analysis.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationThe meta-analysis found a significant short-term reduction in lower-limb spasticity after hippotherapy or therapeutic horseback riding in children with cerebral palsy. No difference was found between a single session and multiple sessions. The effect is temporary, not cumulative.
• PTSystematic Review2022Relationship between ankle function and walking ability for children and young adults with cerebral palsy: A systematic review of deficits and targeted interventions.Gait & postureAnkle strength, range of motion, and co-contraction are all significantly related to walking ability in children with CP. AFOs improve speed and metabolic cost while worn but do not train the ankle. BTX-A shows inconsistent effects on walking.
• PTSystematic Review2024Nonpharmaceutical Interventions and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in School-Age Preterm Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPThe most rigorously tested interventions (Cogmed, BrainGame Brian, physiotherapy) showed no significant benefit on their primary outcomes in preterm school-age children. Smaller, less rigorous studies reported gains, but effects were often short-lived or limited to trained tasks.
• PTRCT2022Pulmonary Function and Aerobic Capacity Responses to Equine Assisted Therapy in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of rehabilitation medicineAdding hippotherapy to Schroth exercises improved lung function and walking distance more than Schroth exercises alone in 45 adolescents with mild scoliosis. Both groups improved, so the extra benefit of riding is the finding, not that Schroth does not work.
• PTMeta-Analysis2022Effects of exercise training on obesity-related parameters in people with intellectual disabilities: systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRExercise alone did not significantly reduce weight, BMI, fat mass, or waist circumference in people with intellectual disability compared with controls. When only aerobic exercise trials were pooled together, BMI showed a significant improvement, but the main results across all exercise types were null.
• PTOTMeta-Analysis2022Effect of Motor Intervention for Infants and Toddlers With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationTask-specific motor training gave infants under 3 with CP a small motor advantage over standard care. CIMT did not show a clear benefit over bimanual play or infant massage. All evidence is very low quality.
• PTOTOther2026Performance outcomes of the PEDI-CAT for assessing functional ability in the population with leukodystrophy.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn 99 people with leukodystrophy, a caregiver-reported functional assessment tracked closely with therapist-administered motor scores (0.93 gross motor, 0.94 fine motor). The authors suggest it could support remote monitoring between clinic visits.
• PTRCT2026Walking Environment and Speed Differentially Change More Affected Limb Dynamic Motor Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAquatic treadmill walking produced higher dynamic motor control than overground or dry treadmill walking in children with CP. Slow walking also scored higher than fast walking. Both effects were acute, from one session.
• PTPilot2026Effect of a Power Mobility Intervention on the Sleep Health of Toddlers with Cerebral Palsy.Physical & occupational therapy in pediatricsNo clear link was found between power mobility use and sleep in 12 toddlers with CP. Most caregivers reported no change or slightly better sleep on days the child used the device. The study was too small to draw conclusions.
• PTCohort2026The Integrated Effect of Physical Activity and Sleep Problems on Concussion Symptom Resolution.Journal of sport rehabilitationChildren and adolescents who were physically active and free of sleep problems after concussion resolved symptoms faster than all three other groups, even after adjusting for symptom severity, anxiety, and time to evaluation.
• PTOther2026The Social Context of Pain in Youth With Cerebral Palsy: The Role of Caregiver Mental Health, Parenting Style and Protective Responses to Pain.Child: care, health and developmentCaregiver depression, anxiety, and authoritarian parenting were each associated with how much pain interfered with a child's daily life, but none were linked to pain intensity. The design is cross-sectional, so no causal direction can be drawn.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Early Intervention Enrollment Among Substance-exposed Infants in Massachusetts: A Population-level Analysis.Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics : JDBPSubstance-exposed infants in Massachusetts were referred to early intervention at high rates, but only 49.5% of those referred enrolled. The gap was widest for infants without a NAS diagnosis, where 38.2% of referred children enrolled.
• PTQualitative2026Bridging the Gap in Early Cerebral Palsy Detection: Primary Care Providers' and Specialists' Perspectives on Implementing PROMPTs for Referral.Child: care, health and developmentCanadian primary care providers and specialists described CP detection tools as practical when built into existing well-baby checklists, but identified diagnostic hesitancy before age 2 and rural access gaps as the main barriers to earlier referral.
• PTOTPilot2026International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years (SUNRISE): A Pilot Study From Ecuador.Child: care, health and developmentOnly 11.8% of 108 Ecuadorian preschool children met all three WHO movement guidelines. Boys outperformed girls in physical activity and lower-body strength, while girls scored higher on inhibitory control. The protocol was workable in this setting.
• PTSurvey2026Disparities in Physical Activity and Sport Participation Among Transition-Age Youth With Autism and Intellectual Disability.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchYouth with autism, especially those without intellectual disability, had the lowest rates of physical activity and sport participation in this national survey of 26,308 teens. No intervention was tested.
• PTSurvey2026Relationship between perception of healthcare services and health-related quality of life in mothers of children with disabilities.Journal of physical therapy scienceMothers of children with disabilities scored below the national average on physical and mental health. Their perception of how well services met their family's needs was only weakly linked to mental health and not linked to physical health.
• PTOTCohort2026Examination of occupational and physical therapists' exposure to physical risk factors in outpatient rehabilitation settings using the workplace ergonomics risk assessment and pain scale.Work (Reading, Mass.)93% of 98 therapists scored in the medium-risk band on a workplace ergonomics tool, and 91% reported pain after a single session. Pediatric therapists had the highest exposure. No significant link was found between the measured risk factors and pain levels.
• PTSLPCohort2026Longitudinal speech and gross motor function development in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.Developmental medicine and child neurologySpeech motor classification in children with CP can still improve into adolescence even when gross motor level stays the same. 19 of 44 children changed speech level between ages 4 and 14, and every change was toward better speech.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026Experiences of Transition From Early-Intervention to Education-Based Therapy Services for Parents of Children With Physical Childhood-Onset Disabilities: A Scoping Review.Child: care, health and developmentParents of children with physical disabilities report that moving from early intervention to school-based therapy means less therapy, a smaller role in their child's care, and poor communication. Caring staff and individualised support were the main positive experiences.
• PTOther2026Design and Development of 'Building Opportunities for Optimal physical activity Skills Training in children with Down Syndrome (BOOST-DS)' Programme and its Content Validation through Consensus using Modified Delphi method.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRFifty-three of 62 play-based physical activity items for children with Down syndrome reached expert consensus across six motor domains. The programme targets Indian special schools with minimal resources. No children have used it yet and no outcomes have been measured.
• PTOther2026Determination of cut-off points for the Move4 accelerometer and assessment of energy expenditure in children and adolescents aged 6-16 years using manual wheelchairs: a validation and calibration study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationValid cut-off points for the Move4 accelerometer were established for children in manual wheelchairs. Upper-arm placement classified the four intensity levels most accurately. These are the first such thresholds for this age group.
• PTRCT2026Electromagnetic stimulation for overactive bladder in myelomeningocele children: randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineReal electromagnetic stimulation over the sacral region produced greater improvement in bladder storage and continence than sham stimulation, though both groups improved. All children also took anticholinergic medication throughout the three-month trial.
• PTQualitative2026Recommendations for the Inclusion of Autistic Children in Community-Based Physical Activity Programmes: A Delphi Study.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceTwenty-two experts reached consensus on recommendations for including autistic children in community sports programmes: coaches need autism-specific training, sessions should run 30 to 45 minutes twice weekly, and bridging sessions should precede mainstream integration. These are expert opinions, not tested interventions.
• PTCase Report2026Atypical baclofen pump catheter dislodgement in spastic cerebral palsy - A case report.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineA 16-year-old with spastic CP had his baclofen pump catheter migrate in front of the refill port and calcify. No withdrawal symptoms were present and pump interrogation was normal. The problem was found only by touch at a routine visit and required urgent surgery.
• PTCohort2026Does apical vertebra location influence the final outcome of bracing for idiopathic scoliosis?European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineBracing corrected the curve in 411 of 491 girls with adolescent scoliosis. The apex location mattered: lumbar curves (L1, L2) corrected significantly more than upper thoracic curves (T7, T8, T9), so the apex level should factor into prognosis.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Developmental Profile and Variability in Preschool-Age Children With Down Syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIn preschool children with Down syndrome, social-emotional and gross motor skills score higher than cognitive, language, and fine motor skills. Language and social-emotional skills also show the widest individual variation.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026Functional outcomes of children after SARS-CoV-2 infection: An EHR-based cohort study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineChildren with clinician-confirmed long COVID after SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to show school decline, need new school support, and develop new behavioral or mental health symptoms than children without long COVID. Referral to psychological services did not differ between the two groups.
• PTRCT2026Effects of sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise on persistent postconcussion symptom burden and exercise intolerance: a randomized controlled trial.Physical therapyStructured aerobic exercise added to standard care did not reduce postconcussion symptoms more than standard care alone. It did improve exercise tolerance at 12 weeks. Both groups improved in symptoms, mood, and fatigue over time.
• PTOTOther2026Associations Between Caregiver Smartphone Use in a Child's Presence and Motor Skills and Executive Function in Preschoolers: SUNRISE International Study.Child: care, health and developmentHow often a caregiver uses a smartphone during play, meals or walks was not associated with a preschooler's motor skills or working memory in 2,232 children across 27 countries, after adjusting for age and other factors.
• PTOTPilot2026Use of sensory dynamic orthosis in paediatric neuromuscular scoliosis: A pilot single-group pre-post study.Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicineThe SDO did not change spinal curvature over six months in 25 non-ambulatory children with neuromuscular scoliosis. It did improve posture while worn, and caregivers reported high satisfaction. No pain or function changes were detected.
• PTOTNarrative Review2026Motor Disorders in Autism: From Comorbidity to Core Criterion.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism ResearchMotor signs like gait asymmetry, toe-walking, and postural instability are common in ASD and may precede social deficits. The authors propose these become diagnostic criteria rather than comorbidities, with a two-tier assessment framework for early screening.
• PTPilot2026Heterogeneous Recruitment Curve Responses to Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairA single anodal tDCS session produced no significant group-level change in corticospinal excitability in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Responses were highly variable: 55% showed a directional shift toward increased excitability, the rest did not. No predictors of response were identified.
• PTOTSurvey2026Disability, race, and risk of perinatal intimate partner violence: Findings from a nationally representative U.S. sample.Disability and health journalWomen with disabilities had significantly higher odds of physical IPV both before and during pregnancy across every racial and ethnic group studied. The gap was largest for American Indian/Alaska Native and Black women with disabilities, and persisted after adjusting for age, education, and insurance.
• PTCohort2026Impact of weight loss on cardiovascular function in adolescents and young adults with overweight/ obesity and intellectual and developmental disabilities.Disability and health journalWeight loss of about 6.5% over six months was associated with a small improvement in left ventricular contraction (GLS from −17.3% to −19.6%) in 49 young people with Down syndrome or autism and obesity. Blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and exercise capacity did not change.
• PTOther2026Design and development of a universal OMNI exertion faces scale.Journal of physical therapy scienceA design note describing a new visual exertion scale. No participants, no outcomes, no validation data. Formal testing is planned as a separate study.
• PTOTNarrative Review2026Upper limb prostheses: a narrative review of hand, wrist, and elbow devices.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesNo type of upper limb prosthesis outperforms another on standard functional tests, and the main reasons people stop wearing them are comfort, control, and function, not the lack of advanced features. Choose based on the individual's daily tasks, not the device's spec sheet.
• PTOther2026Development of a Core Patient-Reported Outcome (Measures) Set for Pediatric Physical Therapy.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationA core set of 9 outcome measures (plus 5 optional) was developed for pediatric PT, designed to take about 10 minutes. The most important outcome, participation, has no suitable measure yet, a gap clinicians should know about.
• PTSurvey2026Factors Affecting Clinical Decision Making for Blood Flow Restriction Training in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.International journal of sports physical therapyMost PTs let pain level, knee swelling, and time from surgery drive their BFRT decisions in kids and teens after ACLR, but 55% won't use it on younger patients and only half have a rule for when to stop. There is no consensus on timing or discontinuation criteria.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2026A Scoping Review of Therapy Provision Under the National Disability Insurance Scheme: Provider-Identified Barriers and Facilitators.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDNDIS administrative complexity is the most common barrier to therapy for children with cognitive disabilities, followed by family circumstances. Tailoring the intervention to the individual child is the most common facilitator. Across 55 studies, providers reported 171 barriers against 122 facilitators.
• PTCohort2026Developmental Trajectories of Locomotor Skills in Infants With Down Syndrome.Pediatric physical therapy : the official publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy AssociationInfants with Down syndrome spent less than 3% of play time moving around and did not increase this as they gained new motor skills. Even after learning to walk, most of their movement stayed on the floor, unlike typically developing peers.
• PTOTSLPOther2026Examining Transitions From Early Intervention to Preschool Services: A Retrospective Review of Therapeutic Service Access in a Clinical Sample of Children With Developmental Disabilities.Infants and young children90% of 194 preschoolers with developmental disabilities had no clinic-based therapy at evaluation. Prior Early Intervention was the strongest predictor of school access, but children with intellectual disability or global developmental delay were less likely to receive school-based therapies than peers with other diagnoses.
• PTCohort2026Isokinetic Quadriceps Strength at Slower Speeds Following ACLR More Strongly Influences Hop Test Performance in Adolescent Athletes.International journal of sports physical therapyQuadriceps strength at 60°/sec was the only isokinetic speed linked to hop test performance in adolescents about 6 months after ACL reconstruction. But it explained only 23–57% of hop performance, so strength alone is far from the whole picture.
• PTOTSLPPilot2026Learning and Sharing Together to Work Better Together: Service Providers' and Parents' Perceptions of the ENVISAGE-Integrated Programme.Child: care, health and developmentParents and service providers reported positive experiences learning together in a 5-week online programme, describing it as levelling the playing field and helping them see each other as people. This is a pilot of perceptions, not evidence the programme changes practice.
• PTOTPilot2026Educator-Led Screening to Identify 4-Year-Old Children At-Risk of Motor Delay: A Mixed Methods Convergent Study.Child: care, health and developmentTrained childcare educators can screen four-year-olds for motor delay; their scores matched physiotherapists' exactly on co-scored assessments. But 34 of 51 children flagged as at-risk likely reflects parents seeking confirmation, not true prevalence.
• PTSLPCohort2026The Down Syndrome Profile Emerges Gradually Across Early Development.Journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities : JARIDIn 101 children with Down syndrome aged 6–63 months, gross motor and expressive language fall further behind over time, while receptive language keeps up. Don't use walking or talking as a shortcut to judge overall ability.
• PTOTOther2026Fundamental Motor Skills in Children With Specific Learning Disorder.Occupational therapy internationalChildren with specific learning disorder (reading, writing, or math difficulties) have significantly weaker gross motor skills than their peers, 9 of 12 basic movement skills were less mature, but the deficit looks the same across dyslexia, dyscalculia, and mixed diagnoses.
• PTOTRCT2026Rewiring the Senses: The Impact of Sensory Integration Therapy on Balance and Cognition in Cerebral Palsy.Occupational therapy internationalAdding sensory integration therapy to balance exercises did not significantly outperform balance exercises alone on the balance scale, but did produce significantly larger gains in cognitive scores across all measured domains in children with CP aged 6–10.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2026Predicting early intervention outcomes in autism via individual participant data mega-analysis.Molecular autismESDM and other evidence-based early interventions produce similar gains in language, cognition, and adaptive skills in autistic toddlers. The difference appears in symptom severity, where ESDM improves over time, particularly for children with higher starting ability. Starting earlier matters more than which programme you choose.
• PTSurvey2026Move and Play Programme: Perceptions of Paediatric Physiotherapists and Parents of Infants.Child: care, health and development209 paediatric physiotherapists and 100 parents rated a set of infant development videos as clear, practical, and easy to use at home. This is a perception survey. It shows the videos are well-received, not that they improve a baby's development.