Purpose
To determine the immediate effects of constraining or encouraging
positioning devices on leg movement of infants with typical development (TD)
and at-risk for developmental delay (AR).
Methods
Twenty-six infants (13 TD, 13 AR) were placed in supine, a jungle
gym, or a car seat. Movement sensors on infants' ankles measured
acceleration and angular velocity. We calculated the number of leg
movements, peak acceleration and peak rotational rate of each leg movement.
A 2 (Group) × 3 (Condition) Analysis of Variance with repeated
measures on condition tested for a group effect, a condition effect, and a
group by condition interaction for leg movement quantity, average peak
acceleration and average peak rotation.
Results
Leg movement quantity and average peak acceleration were
significantly lower for the car seat condition compared to supine or the
gym.
Conclusions
Positioning device use has an immediate effect on infant leg movement
characteristics. Long-term effects remain unknown.
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