Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the practices physical therapists and occupational therapists use in early intervention (EI) for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A survey was disseminated nationally to EI providers using an online anonymous link. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine therapists completed at least 50% of the survey. Four percent of therapists use the General Movement Assessment to predict CP, 57% reported infants at risk for CP receive therapy once a week, 89% identified parents' goals as the most important factor in customizing the EI program, and 75% provide parents with home programs. However, 73% never or rarely use outcome measures to prioritize parents' goals; 31% provide parents with individualized home program and more than 60% never assess environmental enrichment. Conclusion: Therapists do not incorporate sufficient strategies for goal-oriented interventions, comprehensive parent education, and optimum environmental enrichment.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between characteristics of home activities and coaching practices with the adherence of parents of children with motor delays to home activities provided by physical therapists and occupational therapists in early intervention. Methods An online survey study was developed and distributed to physical therapists and occupational therapists across the United States. A survey flier was posted online on parent support groups, physical and occupational therapy groups, newsletters and organizations supporting parents of children with disabilities. Results A total of 720 respondents participated in the survey. Four hundred forty-six participants from 49 states met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Parents indicated that physical therapists and OTs apply the five coaching practices (joint planning, observation, practice, reflection, feedback). However, parents (63%) reported more time was needed on coaching. Parents’ stated that therapists’ modeling the activities was the most helpful teaching technique that enhanced their adherence to home activities. Coaching practices, appropriateness of the home activities to daily routines and home environment, provision of home activities enjoyed by the child, and parent self-efficacy were all significantly associated (P < 0.5) with adherence to home activities. Conclusions Parent’s adherence to home activities is affected not only by the type of coaching used by the therapists but also by the characteristics of the home activities provided for young children with delayed motor development. Impact statement The results of this study provide additional evidence supporting individualization of home activities to promote the parent’s continuous provision of learning opportunities to promote their children’s development. There was also support of the therapists’ use of the five coaching practices in EI to support the parent’s application of home activities when the therapists are not present.

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Background and Objectives: Physical activity is essential for adolescents to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of an 8-week exercise program and motivation on physical activity levels, self-motivation, and mental well-being of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the impact of virtual coaching on physical, emotional, and mental health after an eight-week exercise program was examined. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven participants, 18 females (67%) and 9 males (33%), with a mean age of 14 ± 2.38 years, were enrolled in eight weeks of pre- and post-intervention between June and August of 2021. The physical activity scale, situational motivation scale, mental health continuum short form, and baseline assessments were completed before and after the eight-week program. The program recommended that adolescents practice aerobic, resistance, and weight-bearing exercises for 60 min daily. Paired mean t-tests were used to compare pre-and post-test results. Results: Participants showed an acceptable physical activity level (5.5 ± 1.4) on a 10-point scale with a significant improvement after the eight-week program (7 ± 1.5; p = 0.013). The situational motivation scale improved from 38.1 ± 16 to 26 ± 19.6 (p = 0.042). The mental health continuum (social and psychological well-being) also significantly improved. Participants who received weekly phone calls showed similar improvement patterns but were not significantly different from those who did not receive calls. Conclusions: A virtually delivered 8-week exercise program for adolescents improved their physical, motivational, and mental health. Providing additional weekly phone calls does not provide additional improvement. Providing adolescents with the needed supervision and motivation enhances their physical activity and mental health.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) have in providing early intervention (EI) for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy. Methods: Therapists' responses to an open-ended question were collected via survey that was distributed to EI providers and analyzed using content analysis. Results: The primary self-reported barriers to PT/OT EI services had 5 themes: (1) inadequate communication and collaboration, (2) challenges in coordination with family, (3) policy limitations, (4) meeting the child's individual medical needs, and (5) unequal access to resources. Conclusion: Respondents reported that barriers are complex and exist at the individual, family, team, and societal levels. Further research is needed to explore barriers and solutions at each of these levels, from meeting a child's individual medical needs to improving interprofessional communication to increasing equitable access to resources.

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This study aimed to explore current practices adopted by frontline healthcare providers for the early detection of developmental delays in infants and toddlers in Saudi Arabia, with a specific focus on motor and speech delays and caregivers’ perceptions of early detection of developmental delays and their awareness of well-child visits. Methods: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted and distributed. The first survey was performed among healthcare providers who worked directly with infants and toddlers in the first 3 years of life, and the second survey was performed among caregivers of infants and toddlers who received healthcare services. Participants were recruited via online groups, social media platforms, and clinics. Results: Overall, 60% of the healthcare providers played a role in identifying medical conditions that could be associated with delays and disabilities. However, they did not consistently check for normal development or developmental delays. Furthermore, the healthcare providers reported low frequencies of documenting developmental growth. The caregivers’ survey results showed that 67% were familiar with the concept of “well-child visits”, and the most frequently discussed topic by the healthcare providers was motor development. Conclusions: Well-defined, government-supported standards are needed to encourage regular well-child visits and implement efficient practices for the early detection of developmental delays.