HeartSpacept

09/05/2025

Many therapists encounter families who are struggling because their children have difficulty sleeping. This article examined the impact of sleep disordered breathing on mental health, quality of life and caregivers in children with perinatal stroke.
Key take aways:
*perinatal stroke is a potential risk factor for SDB
*SDB was associated with poorer mental health, poorer quality of life for the child *These mental health and quality of life issues created an increased psychosocial impact on the parents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40857940/

09/02/2025

Happy September! There's a number of interesting articles on the feed today. First we're going to explore a bit more regarding sleep disordered breathing. This free, full text article explored SDB in children with CP.
The authors used the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. You can download it here:
http://bit.ly/463ckXo
Key takeaways:
*Secondary to a group factors, children with CP are at increased risk for SDB
*Children with CP have a higher prevalence of SDB
*Children with severe CP (GMFCS levels IV and V)exhibit more severe breathing issues and sleep disturbances than those with mild to moderate CP (GMFCS levels I - III)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40855572/

08/28/2025

This article was disappointing as is most research regarding core stabilization in children/adults with motor and sensory differences. Most "core exercises" are isolated and separated from functional movement. And although breathing exercises were considered in this study as a beginning intervention, nothing about breathing was defined or carried over. Decades after Hodges original research on the inner core team we should be integrating optimal breath pattern into functional movement exercise and activities of daily living, while supporting the many dynamic systems involved of postural control. Join me in online in January for Dynamic Relationships in Postural Control and Pediatric Pelvic Health:Dynamic Core for Kids Edition with for some great discussion. https://heartspacept.com/workshops/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40565481/

08/26/2025

There are a variety of lessons to be learned from this study that cross boundaries and borders. The study looked at implementing a training program for PTs in Myanmar however there are many similarities between the therapists in Myanmar and therapists new to paediatrics in many clinics in Canada and other countries. A structured program of online education, synchronous mentoring and in-person training over several months could be implemented in many clinical situations, to improve the quality of therapy provided. When therapists have a better understanding of the subtleties of the development of movement and why it may be a challenge, their engagement with parents is more effective/supportive. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40194259/

08/22/2025

Something to consider as children with CP grow up. This 2025 free full text indicates that this population tends to lose range of motion with age. Again, the MACS assessment was new to me (http://bit.ly/415MEaR).
Key takeaways:
*Continuous decline in upper extremity range of motion over time
*Shoulder, supination, and wrist extension decreased range was noted over all levels of the MACS
*Adults with lower MACS levels (I and II) had greater range initially and experienced a slower decline in range
*Steeper decline of range was noted at higher MACS levels IV and V
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40781986/

08/19/2025

As we (reluctantly?) turn our thoughts to fall, I'm reminded of the wonderful learning communities created in our spring Creating Connections: Introduction to NDT and Dynamic Core for Kids courses in Guelph. We're bringing this course to Ottawa on October 2-4, 2025 and there are still a couple of seats left. Join us as we balance theory and practical skills for an interactive learning experience. For more information: http://bit.ly/

08/15/2025

While reading a separate article, I came across the infant/toddler version of the selective control assessment of the LE (SCALE) aptly titled the Mini-SCALE. Here is the article link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40751442/
And here is the link to the measurement tool and guidelines for administration and scoring: http://bit.ly/4fvh3oQ

08/12/2025

A companion article to last week's post. This time it's a partial body weight support treadmill training intensive for children with ataxia (both children with progressive and non-progressive ataxia were included in the study group). The SARA scale for the rating of ataxia (http://bit.ly/4m7NsVi) was new to me.
Key takeaways
*Functional assessments (GMFM (items D-E), PBS, 10 MWT, 6 MWT, SARA and TUG) showed significant positive change in the treadmill group
*Spatiotemporal gait parameters showed significant positive change in the treadmill group
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40566420/

08/10/2025

I'm excited to return to St John's next spring!!

Hey St.John’s, NL 👋
We’re excited to be bringing this dynamic course to therapists on next spring! Secure your spot now and don’t miss out on this fantastic learning opportunity
www.kidscanshine.com

08/08/2025

A 2025 article comparing the effects of partial body weight supported treadmill training (PBWSTT) with loaded treadmill training in children with spastic diplegia CP. The intervention parameters were clearly outlined.
Key takeaways:
*Both study groups demonstrated improved trunk stability and postural control
*Both study groups demonstrated improvements in gait outcomes
*Only the PBWSTT group showed significant improvement in GMFM dimension E (walking, running, jumping)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40731755/

08/06/2025

An interesting free, full text paper reporting on caregiver impressions of Sensory Safe beds for children with neurodisabilities.
Key takeaways:
*Improvements in sleep duration
*Reduction in self-injurious behaviours
*Reduction in minor injuries
*Reduction in elopement incidents.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12302478/