Volume 33, Issue 1

Interviews in this edition:


1. Andrea Baraldi Cunha, Research Associate, Department of Physical Therapy, Biomechanics & Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
Title:
“A Novel Means-End Problem-Solving Assessment Tool for Early Intervention:
Evaluation of Validity, Reliability, and Sensitivity”
Introduction:
A new, simple tool could potentially help screen for motor delay quickly and easily. The “Means-End Problem-Solving Assessment Tool”—MEPSAT for short—has been assessed by comparing a group of children with developmental delay with a control group who were typically developing.



2: Halil Alkan PT, PhD, Physical Therapist, Muş Alparslan University, Muş and Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
Title:
“Early Spontaneous Movements of Infants With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy”
Introduction:
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy investigated in 38 infants between three and five months old and compared with typically developing children and scored for a range of indicators of motor delay found Halil Alkan hypoxic brain injury was strongly associated with the overall adequacy of infants’ motor repertoires, and the frequency of their so-called “fidgety movements”.


3: Casey (Mary C) Hooke PhD, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Title
“Testing the Child PROMIS Physical Activity Measurement in Youth Attending a Large Community Event”


Introduction
Patient-reported outcome measures were successfully used to assess health-care interventions, by collecting data from child-patients using the system known as: PROMIS — the Child Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System.


4: Gunfrid Vinje Størvold, PT PhD, Department of Habilitation, Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway


Title:
“Current Physical Therapy Practice in Norway for Children With Cerebral Palsy”


Introduction:
A survey of real-world pediatric physical therapy practice for cerebral palsy in Norway found strong adherence to recommended evidence-based practice.


5: Marcelo R Rosales, Biokinesiology Program, Infant Neuromotor Control Laboratory, University of Southern California, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA


Title:
Collecting Infant Environmental and Experiential Data Using Smartphone Surveys


Introduction:
Promising early research has found smartphones could help physical therapists monitor infant development in a range of clinical situations.


6: Brittany Anderson PT DPT, Associate Professor in Physical Therapy, University of Jamestown, Fargo, ND


Title:
Using a 3D-Printed Prosthetic to Improve Participation in a Young Gymnast


Introduction:
A prosthetic hand that can grip, inexpensively customised with the help of a 3-D printer, helps a nine-year old girl do gymnastics despite her lack of functioning fingers on one of her hands.


7: James Shanandore, Asst Prof of Anatomy & Physiology, Univ of Jamestown Physical Therapy Prog, Fargo ND


Title:
“3-D Printed Prosthetic Hand Helps Junior Gymnast: The Back Story”


Introduction:
How physical therapists can harness 3-D printing to individualise a functioning prosthetic hand.


8: Mary Gannotti PT PhD, Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Services, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, Research Scientist, Shriners Hospital, Springfield, MA


Title:
Designing Exercise to Improve Bone Health Among Individuals With Cerebral Palsy


Introduction:
Combining mechanical theory and practical experience can help young patients with cerebral palsy avoid painful morbidity late in life by directing good exercise patterns in pre-puberty and adolescence to specifically target the skeleton and rather than muscle alone.