Functional physical therapy applied by telerehabilitation or in-person in infants at risk of cerebral palsy: feasibility and preliminary efficacy

The aim was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a goal-oriented training applied by telerehabilitation and face-to-face, for infants at risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
In a pilot study of a randomized controlled trial, 14 at-risk infants for CP were allocated into telerehabilitation and in-person groups. Over eight weeks, infants underwent functional physical therapy five times weekly; one session of telerehabilitation conducted via video calls or one session of in-person intervention at the clinic. Caregivers also provided unsupervised home activities four times weekly in both groups. Feasibility was assessed through diaries, and caregiver acceptability was measured using questionnaires. Infant motor function was evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM).
Both methods of delivery were feasible for recruitment and assessment. Caregivers expressed high acceptability for both modalities, although in-person participants presented more challenges in home implementation. Both groups showed a significant gap between planned and delivered dosage of intervention. They showed significant motor improvement over time, with no differences between groups.
Telerehabilitation achieved short-term outcomes comparable to conventional therapy in this pilot sample. These preliminary results support the viability of a phase II clinical trial, using the current protocols with modifications.
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Telerehabilitation is a potential method for delivering rehabilitation services, including guided therapeutic exercises and caregiver coaching, to infants at risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
It was found that telerehabilitation is viable and accepted by the parents.
Telerehabilitation and face-to-face intervention seems to improve gross motor function over time equally for infants at risk of CP.
Health professionals may consider telerehabilitation as an alternative method for delivering rehabilitation services.

Telerehabilitation is a potential method for delivering rehabilitation services, including guided therapeutic exercises and caregiver coaching, to infants at risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
It was found that telerehabilitation is viable and accepted by the parents.
Telerehabilitation and face-to-face intervention seems to improve gross motor function over time equally for infants at risk of CP.
Health professionals may consider telerehabilitation as an alternative method for delivering rehabilitation services.