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Gross Motor Function Following Acquired Brain Injury

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology published research on 287 Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) observations were made on 74 children with pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). The results showed the following: 1. Children sustaining hypoxic–ischaemic injuries made the slowest and least complete recoveries. 2. Older children made faster gross motor recoveries after controlling for aetiology. […]

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Mental Practice versus Physical Practice for Finger Opposition Skills in Children

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport published research on the effects of mental practice (MP) and physical practice (PP) on a finger opposition task among 36, nine to ten years old, children. The children were randomly assigned to either a MP group, PP group or no practice (NP) group. The MP and PP groups participated […]

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12 Printable Halloween Freebies

Need some last minute Halloween activities?  Here are 12 free printable activities: 1.  4 Pages from Halloween Handwriting Activities at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/files/Halloween_free_sample.pdf 2.  Halloween Clothes Pin Mat at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freehalloweenmat.html 3.  Pumpkin Patch Fine Motor Game at   https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freepumpkinpatch.html 4.  Jack O Lantern Challenge Maze at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freejackolanternmaze.html 5.  Copy the Clay Monsters at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/freeclaymonster.html 6.  Halloween Handwriting Hunt at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/hwhuntshalloweenfree.html 7.  Halloween Door Hanger […]

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Gait and Stability in Different Baby Shoes

Pediatric Physical Therapy published research on the effects of different torsional flexibilities of shoes on gait and stability in 25 children who were walking five months or less. The children were evaluated barefoot and in 4 types of shoes with different torsional flexibilities (UltraFlex, MidFlex, LowFlex, and Stiff). Gait assessments were performed and stability was […]

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KAFOs and Cerebral Palsy

Clinical Rehabilitation published research on 28 (15 experimental and 13 control group) ambulatory children, ages 4-16, with spastic diplegia to determine if a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) helps maintain ankle-foot dorsiflexion range of motion over time. The intervention group was required to wear the KAFOs for 6 hours every other night for one year. Measurements were […]

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Power Mobility and Children

Clinical Rehabilitation published a review of the research on the evidence related to power mobility use in children (18 years or younger) with mobility limitations.  The search yielded 259 titles of which 29 articles met inclusion criteria, describing 28 primary research studies.  The following results were found: 1.  One study, rated as strong level II […]

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Physical Activity and Executive Control in Children

Pediatrics published research on 221 children (7-9 years old) who were randomly assigned to either a 9 month after school physical activity program or a wait list group. Following the intervention various measurements were recorded: changes in maximal oxygen consumption, electrical activity in the brain and behavioral measures (accuracy, reaction time) of executive control. The […]

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Motor Planning Activity Using Pool Noodles

Here is a super easy set up but challenging activity to encourage motor planning skills, coordination and body awareness.  Cut up pool noodles lengthwise and lay them on the floor in different directions.  Ask the child to jump from noodle to noodle keeping the pool noodle between the feet.  You can view the brief video […]