Paediatric physical therapy in infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders

PT in infants at risk

At a glance

Project leader : Schirin Akhbari Ziegler
Co-project leader : Prof. Dr. Mijna Hadders-Algra
Project team : André Meichtry, Prof. Dr. Markus Wirz
Project budget : CHF 90'000
Project status : completed
Funding partner : Foundation (Jubiläumsstiftung der Schweizerischen Mobiliar Genossenschaft, Anna Mueller Grocholski-Stiftung, Schweizerische Stiftung für das cerebral gelähmte Kind)
Project partner : University Medical Centre Groningen, Kantonsspital Winterthur KSW, Stiftung Ostschweizer Kinderspital, Universitätsspital Zürich, Universitäts-Kinderspital beider Basel
Contact person : Schirin Akhbari Ziegler

Description

Infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders are in need of early intervention. There is limited evidence of the effectiveness of nowadays typically applied infant physiotherapy (TIP) which are based on the concepts of Berta and Karel Bobath (Neurodevelopmental Treatment -NDT) or Václav Vojta.

The novel program „Coping with and Caring for Infants with Special Needs “ (COPCA), focuses on family-centred intervention, caregiver coaching, self-produced motor behaviour and trial-and-error experiences by means of play, was associated with a positive effect on motor development and family empowerment. The program is to be examined in Switzerland.

The aim of this project is to scientifically underpin, which elements of paediatric physiotherapy for infants at high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders are associated with better developmental outcome and how these elements can be implemented in paediatric practice.

The project consists of three studies:

1. Contents of physical therapy in infants at high risk for developmental motor disorders in Switzerland: A quantification of contents.

2. Changes in time spent on specific paediatric physical therapy-actions during therapy of therapists following a COPCA course.

3. Evaluation whether intervention by means of COPCA has a better effect on motor outcome in very preterm infants than intervention by means of TIP in Switzerland.

Study questions:

1. How much time (relative duration in a treatment session) Swiss paediatric physical therapists spend in which therapy-actions?

2. Does time spent on COPCA specific therapy-actions increase during the COPCA course?

3. Does motor outcome of preterm infants treated with COPCA differ from that of preterm infants treated with TIP, during the intervention, immediately after the intervention of six months and at the corrected age of 18 months?

Methods:

1. A quantitative observation study

2. A longitudinal observation study

3. A randomized controlled trial with process analysis

Results:

1. Quantified contents (relative duration of different therapy-actions in a treatment session) of typical infant paediatric physical therapy in Switzerland.

2. Changes of therapy-actions during a COPCA course

3. Motor outcome in preterm infants after six months COPCA or TIP and at the corrected age of 18 months

Further information

Publications

Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin,

2022.

Frühintervention bei Säuglingen mit neuromotorischen Funktionsstörung und ihre Evidenz.

In:

Münchner Symposium Frühförderung, online, 4.-5. März 2022.
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Hadders-Algra, Mijna,

2021.

Familienzentrierte Praxis in der Pädiatrie : PT-Frühintervention bei Säuglingen mit neuromotorischen Funktionsstörungen.

pt Zeitschrift für Physiotherapeuten .

73(9), pp. 46-50.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-24304
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Rhein, Michael; Meichtry, André; Wirz, Markus; Hielkema, Tjitske; Hadders‐Algra, Mijna,

2020.

The coping with and caring for infants with special needs intervention was associated with improved motor development in preterm infants.

Acta Paediatrica.

110(4), pp. 1189-1200.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15619
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Hadders‐Algra, Mijna,

2020.

Coaching approaches in early intervention and paediatric rehabilitation.

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology.

62(5), pp. 569-574.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14493
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin,

2019.

Transitions in infant physiotherapy : towards coaching of families.

In:

Developmental changes in paediatric neurodisability, from concepts to diagnostics and therapy, Groningen, 20 - 22 June 2019.
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Hadders-Algra, Mijna,

2019.

Coaching in COPCA : a promising method to enhance family participation and motor development of infants with special needs [poster].

In:

31st EACD European Academy of Childhood Disability, Paris, May 23-25 2019.

ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-19040
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Hadders-Algra, Mijna,

2019.

Improve implementation of a novel paediatric therapy programme : taking theories of human behaviour into account [poster].

In:

World Confederation of Physical Therapy Congress, Geneva, 10-13 May 2019.

ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-19039
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin,

2019.

Physiotherapeutische Frühintervention und ihre Evidenz.

In:

Fachtagung Physiotherapia Paediatrica 2019, Luzern, 23. März 2019.
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Mitteregger, Elena; Hadders‐Algra, Mijna,

2019.

Caregivers' experiences with the new family‐centred paediatric physiotherapy programme COPCA : a qualitative study.

Child: Care, Health and Development.

46(1), pp. 28-36.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12722
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Dirks, Tineke; Reinders-Messelink, Heleen A.; Meichtry, André; Hadders-Algra, Mijna,

2018.

Changes in therapist actions during a novel pediatric physical therapy program : successes and challenges.

Pediatric Physical Therapy.

30(3), pp. 223-230.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0000000000000509
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin; Dirks, Tineke; Hadders-Algra, Mijna,

2018.

Coaching in early physical therapy intervention : the COPCA program as an example of translation of theory into practice.

Disability and Rehabilitation.

41(15), pp. 1846-1854.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1448468
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin,

2015.

Einblick in die Inhalte der physiotherapeutischen Säuglingsbehandlung mit dem Groningen Observation Protocol.

In:

Jahressymposium der SACD, Aarau, 18. November 2015.

Swiss Academy of Childhood Disability (SACD).
Akhbari Ziegler, Schirin,

2014.

Infant Motor Profile (IMP) : Untersuchungmethode zur Beurteilung der Qualität von motorischem Verhalten von Kindern im Alter von 3-18 Monaten.

In:

Fachtagung Physiotherapia Peadiatrica, Luzern, 22. März 2014.

Physiotherapia Paediatrica.

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