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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 May 11;13(5):e068816.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068816.

Kindy Moves: the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme on goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with neurodisabilities requiring daily equipment and physical assistance

Matthew Haddon  1 , Loren West  1 , Catherine Elliott  2   3 , Corrin Walmsley  1 , Jane Valentine  3   4 , Natasha Bear  5 , Dayna Pool  6 ; Healthy Strides Research Advisory Council
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Kindy Moves: the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme on goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with neurodisabilities requiring daily equipment and physical assistance

Matthew Haddon et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the feasibility of an intensive interdisciplinary programme in improving goal and motor outcomes for preschool-aged children with non-progressive neurodisabilities. The primary hypothesis was that the intervention would be feasible.

Design: A single group feasibility study.

Setting: An Australian paediatric community therapy provider.

Participants: Forty children were recruited. Inclusion criteria were age 2-5 years with a non-progressive neurodisability, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-V or equivalent, and goals relating to mobility, communication and upper limb function. Exclusion criteria included orthopaedic surgery in the past 6 months, unstable hip subluxation, uncontrolled seizure disorder or treadmill training in the past month.

Intervention: A goal-directed programme of three 2-hour sessions per week for 4 weeks (24 hours total). This consisted of treadmill and overground walking, communication practice, and upper limb tasks tailored by an interdisciplinary team.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Limited-efficacy measures from preintervention (T1) to postintervention (T2) and 4-week follow-up (T3) included the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and 10-Metre Walk Test (10MWT). Acceptability, demand, implementation and practicality were also explored.

Results: There were improvements at T2 compared with T1 for all limited-efficacy measures. The GAS improved at T2 (mean difference (MD) 27.7, 95% CI 25.8 to 29.5) as well as COPM performance (MD 3.2, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.6) and satisfaction (MD 3.3, 95% CI 2.8 to 3.8). The GMFM-66 (MD 2.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.5) and 10MWT (median difference -2.3, 95% CI -28.8 to 0.0) improved at T2. Almost all improvements were maintained at T3. Other feasibility components were also demonstrated. There were no adverse events.

Conclusions: An intensive interdisciplinary programme is feasible in improving goal and motor outcomes for preschool children with neurodisabilities (GMFCS III-V or equivalent). A randomised controlled trial is warranted to establish efficacy.

Trial registration number: ACTRN12619000064101.

Keywords: Clinical trials; Developmental neurology & neurodisability; Neurological injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Treadmill training.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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