Parental Beliefs About the Motor Development of Dutch Infants Born Very Preterm: A Cohort Study

Purpose: To explore the influence of preterm birth on parental beliefs about gross motor development and parents' supportive role in infants' motor development. Methods: Prospective cohort study: Parents of infants born very preterm (VPT) (gestation ≤32 weeks, birth weight <1500 g, without perinatal complications) and parents of healthy infants born full-term (FT) completed the Parental Beliefs on Motor Development questionnaire. Results: Questionnaires from 37 parents of infants born VPT, aged 3.5 to 7.5 months (corrected), and 110 parents of infants born FT, aged 3.5 months, were analyzed. Parents of infants born VPT believed stimulating motor development to be more important than parents of infants born FT (F = 5.22; P = .024; ηp2 = 0.035). Most parents of infants born VPT (82.4%) and FT (85.2%) acknowledged their role in supporting motor development. More parents of infants born VPT (41.2% vs 12.0%) believed they should follow their infant's natural developmental pace. Conclusion: Knowledge of parental beliefs and parents' supporting role in motor development is relevant for tailoring pediatric physiotherapists' interventions with families

From birth to independent walking : Gross motor trajectories of infants caputered by home videos made by parents

Gross motor development of young children is characterised by inter-individual and intra-individual variability, partly under the influence of child and environmental factors. This can hinder the correct interpretation of the results of tests which map out gross motor development. Repeated measurements of the progress in gross motor development possibly offers a solution for this, but is a burden for both child and parents if they have to travel to a test location each time for this. Therefore, as part of this dissertation, a home video method was developed as a way of registering the motor development of young children via film footage made at home by parents. In this way, longitudinally measured motor developmental trajectories of children born on time were recorded, starting at the age of 3.5 months and ending at the age of 15.5 months. During the same period, data were collected on child and environmental factors, the competitive validity of the home video method was examined and its application by parents was evaluated. The main outcomes of the studies in this thesis are 1) a first impulse of a gross motor growth curve based on normally developing children, in which within the normal variation three groups could be distinguished: early developers, gradual developers, and late bloomers, 2) a validated home video method that has proved applicable for parents in their home situation and can have an added value for both research and practice and 3) insight in factors that can partly explain the variation in gross motor development by means of a systematic literature study and a study into the beliefs of parents concerning the motor development of their child

From birth to independent walking : Gross motor trajectories of infants caputered by home videos made by parents

Gross motor development of young children is characterised by inter-individual and intra-individual variability, partly under the influence of child and environmental factors. This can hinder the correct interpretation of the results of tests which map out gross motor development. Repeated measurements of the progress in gross motor development possibly offers a solution for this, but is a burden for both child and parents if they have to travel to a test location each time for this. Therefore, as part of this dissertation, a home video method was developed as a way of registering the motor development of young children via film footage made at home by parents. In this way, longitudinally measured motor developmental trajectories of children born on time were recorded, starting at the age of 3.5 months and ending at the age of 15.5 months. During the same period, data were collected on child and environmental factors, the competitive validity of the home video method was examined and its application by parents was evaluated. The main outcomes of the studies in this thesis are 1) a first impulse of a gross motor growth curve based on normally developing children, in which within the normal variation three groups could be distinguished: early developers, gradual developers, and late bloomers, 2) a validated home video method that has proved applicable for parents in their home situation and can have an added value for both research and practice and 3) insight in factors that can partly explain the variation in gross motor development by means of a systematic literature study and a study into the beliefs of parents concerning the motor development of their child

Nederlandse zuigelingen lopen later los dan Canadese: Is cross-culturele interpretatie van de AIMS verantwoord?

n Nederland wordt de grofmotorische ontwikkeling van zuigelingen van de geboorte tot het loslopen meestal gemeten met de Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Dit instrument komt uit Canada. Nederlandse kinderfysiothera-peuten vragen zich al langer af of de Canadese normwaarden van de AIMS wel passend zijn voor Nederlandse zuige-lingen. Deze studie toont aan dat specifieke Nederlandse normwaarden noodzakelijk zijn

Cross-Cultural Validity : Canadian Norm Values of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale Evaluated for Dutch Infants

PURPOSE: To examine whether the Canadian normative values of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) are appropriate for Dutch infants. METHOD: In a cross-sectional study, 499 infants developing typically (0.5-19 months) were assessed using the AIMS home video method. The scaling method was used for calculating item locations of the Dutch sample, and Welch test to compare Canadian and Dutch raw scores. RESULTS: THE: AIMS items (45 of 58) met the criterion for stable regression to calculate item locations of the Dutch data set and compare these with the Canadian data set. Dutch infants passed 42 of 45 items at an older age. Most monthly age groups of Dutch infants had lower mean AIMS scores. CONCLUSION: The Canadian norms are not appropriate for the Dutch study sample. Dutch infants appear to develop in a similar sequence but at a slower rate. This has implications regarding the clinical use of the AIMS in the Netherlands

Cross-Cultural Validity: Canadian Norm Values of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale Evaluated for Dutch Infants

Purpose: To examine whether the Canadian normative values of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) are appropriate for Dutch infants. Method: In a cross-sectional study, 499 infants developing typically (0.5-19 months) were assessed using the AIMS home video method. The scaling method was used for calculating item locations of the Dutch sample, and Welch test to compare Canadian and Dutch raw scores. Results: The AIMS items (45 of 58) met the criterion for stable regression to calculate item locations of the Dutch data set and compare these with the Canadian data set. Dutch infants passed 42 of 45 items at an older age. Most monthly age groups of Dutch infants had lower mean AIMS scores. Conclusion: The Canadian norms are not appropriate for the Dutch study sample. Dutch infants appear to develop in a similar sequence but at a slower rate. This has implications regarding the clinical use of the AIMS in the Netherlands

Concurrent Validity Between Live and Home Video Observations Using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale

PURPOSE: Serial assessment of gross motor development of infants at risk is an established procedure in neonatal follow-up clinics. Assessments based on home video recordings could be a relevant addition. METHODS: In 48 infants (1.5-19 months), the concurrent validity of 2 applications was examined using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: (1) a home video made by parents and (2) simultaneous observation on-site by a pediatric physical therapist. Parents' experiences were explored using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient agreement between live and home video assessment was 0.99, with a standard error of measurement of 1.41 items. Intra- and interrater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficients were more than 0.99. According to 94% of the parents, recording their infant's movement repertoire was easy to perform. CONCLUSION: Assessing the Alberta Infant Motor Scale based on home video recordings is comparable to assessment by live observation. The video method is a promising application that can be used with low burden for parents and infants

Concurrent Validity Between Live and Home Video Observations Using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale

PURPOSE: Serial assessment of gross motor development of infants at risk is an established procedure in neonatal follow-up clinics. Assessments based on home video recordings could be a relevant addition. METHODS: In 48 infants (1.5-19 months), the concurrent validity of 2 applications was examined using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: (1) a home video made by parents and (2) simultaneous observation on-site by a pediatric physical therapist. Parents' experiences were explored using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient agreement between live and home video assessment was 0.99, with a standard error of measurement of 1.41 items. Intra- and interrater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficients were more than 0.99. According to 94% of the parents, recording their infant's movement repertoire was easy to perform. CONCLUSION: Assessing the Alberta Infant Motor Scale based on home video recordings is comparable to assessment by live observation. The video method is a promising application that can be used with low burden for parents and infants

Factors associated with gross motor development from birth to independent walking: A systematic review of longitudinal research

OBJECTIVE: To gain more insight into child and environmental factors that influence gross motor development (GMD) of healthy infants from birth until reaching the milestone of independent walking, based on longitudinal research. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL to identify studies from inception to February 2020. Studies that investigated the association between child or environmental factors and infant GMD using longitudinal measurements of infant GMD were eligible. Two independent reviewers extracted key information and assessed risk of bias of the selected studies, using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS). Strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, conflicting, no evidence) for the factors identified was described according to a previously established classification. RESULTS: In 36 studies, six child and 11 environmental factors were identified. Five studies were categorized as having low risk of bias. Strong evidence was found for the association between birthweight and GMD in healthy full-term and preterm infants. Moderate evidence was found for associations between gestational age and GMD, and sleeping position and GMD. There was conflicting evidence for associations between twinning and GMD, and breastfeeding and GMD. No evidence was found for an association between maternal postpartum depression and GMD. Evidence for the association of other factors with GMD was classified as 'limited' because each of these factors was examined in only one longitudinal study. CONCLUSION: Infant GMD appears associated with two child factors (birthweight, gestational age), and one environmental factor (sleeping position). For the other factors identified in this review, insufficient evidence for an association with GMD was found. For those factors that were examined in only one longitudinal study, and are therefore classified as having limited evidence, more research would be needed to reach a conclusion

Factors associated with gross motor development from birth to independent walking: A systematic review of longitudinal research

OBJECTIVE: To gain more insight into child and environmental factors that influence gross motor development (GMD) of healthy infants from birth until reaching the milestone of independent walking, based on longitudinal research. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL to identify studies from inception to February 2020. Studies that investigated the association between child or environmental factors and infant GMD using longitudinal measurements of infant GMD were eligible. Two independent reviewers extracted key information and assessed risk of bias of the selected studies, using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS). Strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, conflicting, no evidence) for the factors identified was described according to a previously established classification. RESULTS: In 36 studies, six child and 11 environmental factors were identified. Five studies were categorized as having low risk of bias. Strong evidence was found for the association between birthweight and GMD in healthy full-term and preterm infants. Moderate evidence was found for associations between gestational age and GMD, and sleeping position and GMD. There was conflicting evidence for associations between twinning and GMD, and breastfeeding and GMD. No evidence was found for an association between maternal postpartum depression and GMD. Evidence for the association of other factors with GMD was classified as 'limited' because each of these factors was examined in only one longitudinal study. CONCLUSION: Infant GMD appears associated with two child factors (birthweight, gestational age), and one environmental factor (sleeping position). For the other factors identified in this review, insufficient evidence for an association with GMD was found. For those factors that were examined in only one longitudinal study, and are therefore classified as having limited evidence, more research would be needed to reach a conclusion