Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Perinatal stroke injures motor regions of the brain, compromising movement for life. Early, intensive, active interventions for the upper extremity are efficacious, but interventions for the lower extremity remain understudied.Objective
To determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of ELEVATE-Engaging the Lower Extremity Via Active Therapy Early-on gross motor function.Methods
We conducted a single-blind, two-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with the Immediate Group receiving the intervention while the Delay Group served as a 3-month waitlist control. A separate cohort living beyond commuting distance was trained by their parents with guidance from physical therapists. Participants were 8 months to 3 years old, with MRI-confirmed perinatal ischemic stroke and early signs of hemiparesis. The intervention was play-based, focused on weight-bearing, balance and walking for 1 hour/day, 4 days/week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Secondary outcomes included steps and gait analyses. Final follow-up occurred at age 4.Results
Thirty-four children participated (25 RCT, 9 Parent-trained). The improvement in GMFM-66 over 12 weeks was greater for the Immediate than the Delay Group in the RCT (average change 3.4 units higher) and greater in younger children. Average step counts reached 1370-3750 steps/session in the last week of training for all children. Parent-trained children also improved but with greater variability.Conclusions
Early, activity-intensive lower extremity therapy for young children with perinatal stroke is feasible and improves gross motor function in the short term. Longer term improvement may require additional bouts of intervention.Clinical trial registration
This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01773369).
SUBMITTER: Hurd C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9127938 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Hurd Caitlin C Livingstone Donna D Brunton Kelly K Smith Allison A Gorassini Monica M Watt Man-Joe MJ Andersen John J Kirton Adam A Yang Jaynie F JF
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 20220415 6
<h4>Background</h4>Perinatal stroke injures motor regions of the brain, compromising movement for life. Early, intensive, active interventions for the upper extremity are efficacious, but interventions for the lower extremity remain understudied.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of ELEVATE-Engaging the Lower Extremity Via Active Therapy Early-on gross motor function.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a single-blind, two-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT), with t ...[more]