Factors associated with muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Muscle dysfunction such as loss of muscle mass and decreased muscle strength is often observed in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, specific factors associated with muscle function have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify significant factors affecting muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study. Eighty-eight inpatients with hematologic malignancies undergoing chemotherapy were recruited. Participants were evaluated for muscle thickness and isometric knee extensor strength as indicators of muscle function, physical activity, physical symptoms, psychological distress, and self-efficacy at the start date of rehabilitation. Multiple regression analysis with muscle function as the dependent variable and clinical information and other evaluation items as explanatory variables was performed. RESULTS: Lymphocyte count, the geriatric nutritional risk index, and physical activity were significant factors associated with muscle thickness, while physical activity and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with isometric knee extensor strength. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional status, physical activity, and self-efficacy were significant factors associated with muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies. Rehabilitation intervention focusing on improving physical activity and nutritional status should be considered necessary for enhancing muscle function in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Mirror therapy and treadmill training for patients with chronic stroke: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous lower-limb mirror therapy research has focused on non-weight bearing interventions. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect and feasibility of a combination of mirror therapy and treadmill training on post-stroke lower-limb recovery compared to a placebo intervention. METHODS: All patients (N = 30) walked on a treadmill for 30 min per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. The mirror therapy and treadmill training group (n = 15) walked on the treadmill while viewing a reflection of their non-paretic limb in a mirror positioned in their mid-sagittal plane. The placebo group (n = 15) received no mirror visual feedback due to an altered mirror position. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Ten Metre Walk Test (10MWT) and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-LE). Feasibility was appraised by examining participant compliance and any adverse events. RESULTS: No significant between group differences were demonstrated for the 10MWT, 6MWT or FMA-LE at post-training or 3-month follow-up assessment. A significant between group difference on the MAS was demonstrated in the reduction of ankle dorsiflexion muscle tone (p = 0.006) and ankle plantarflexion muscle tone (p = 0.01) in the mirror therapy group compared to the placebo group at post-training assessment but not at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that in our group of patients with chronic stroke, mirror therapy combined with treadmill training facilitated significant reductions in ankle muscle tone (p < 0.05) compared to a placebo intervention.

Intermittent Esotropia in 4 Patients With Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome.

Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome is a rare X-linked neurologic condition caused by mutations in monocarboxylate transporter 8 ( MCT8), which leads to deficient thyroid hormone transport. Typical features include severe cognitive impairment, truncal hypotonia, spastic paraplegia, weakness, and speech difficulties. Minimal literature exists describing the ocular findings in patients with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome. We describe 4 male siblings affected with Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome with a novel nonsense mutation (Q90X) in the MCT8 protein. All affected siblings presented with classic findings of Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, and each of the siblings also developed intermittent esotropia. This group of affected siblings represents the first consistent documentation of strabismus in Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome, suggesting a possible association between this clinical finding and the neurologic syndrome.

Interventions to improve sensory and motor outcomes for young children with central hypotonia: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate evidence supporting physical and occupational therapy interventions used to improve sensory and motor outcomes for children 0-6 years with central hypotonia. METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from 1996 to March 2017. Level of evidence and study conduct was evaluated using American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine criteria. Traffic lighting classification identified interventions that were green (proven effective), yellow (possibly effective) or red (proven ineffective or contraindicated). RESULTS: Thirty-seven articles were included. Nine studies measured orthotic interventions while four distinct studies published over nine articles measured treadmill interventions. Remaining studies measured impact of compression garments, massage, motor and sensori-motor interventions, positioning and mobility interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Green light evidence supports treadmill training (to promote ambulation and gait characteristics) and massage (to positively affect muscle tone, motor development and use of vision) for infants with Down syndrome. These interventions are considered Yellow (possibly effective) for other populations. Green light evidence supports impact of orthoses on foot alignment for ambulatory children with hypotonia, while impact on gait characteristics is Yellow light and motor development may be negatively impacted (Red light) in pre-ambulatory children. All other interventions rated Yellow (possibly effective) and therapists should monitor using sensitive outcome measures.

Gross Motor Outcomes After Dynamic Weight-Bearing in 2 Children With Trunk Hypotonia: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Children with trunk hypotonia may have limited ability to maintain an upright weight-bearing position, resulting in decreased postural control and a delay in achieving gross motor milestones. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case series is to report the effect of a home-based dynamic standing program on postural control and gross motor activity in 2 children with trunk hypotonia. DESCRIPTIONS: Child 1 (aged 24 months, Gross Motor Function Classification Scale Level IV) and Child 2 (aged 21 months, Gross Motor Function Classification Scale Level V) participated in a standing program using the Upsee harness at home 3 days per week for 12 weeks. OUTCOMES: Both children improved their gross motor function, and Child 1 demonstrated improved trunk control in sitting. WHAT THIS CASE ADDS: The use of the Upsee harness was an effective intervention for these children with trunk hypotonia to achieve weight-bearing and improve gross motor abilities.

Physical and Occupational Therapy for a Teenager with Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Case Report.

AIMS: The purpose of this case report is to describe the inpatient rehabilitation program of a 13-year-old boy with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), specific to physical and occupational therapy examination, treatment, and outcomes. CASE DESCRIPTION: AFM is a rare, acute neurologic illness in children and young adults who present with weakness and/or paralysis of unknown etiology. The teenager was admitted to the program, dependent for all mobility and self-care. Interventions focused on range of motion, transfer training, self-care, power wheelchair mobility, and environmental adaptations. OUTCOMES: Weekly re-evaluations and the WeeFIM were used at admission and discharge to measure the teenager's progress. At discharge, the teenager had made small gains in his passive and active range of motion. He was independent in directing his care and able to drive his power wheelchair with supervision. DISCUSSION: Due to the scarcity of published data describing AFM, this report describes an individual's response to a rehabilitation program and will hopefully add to future research in order to provide patients and families with expectations for their recovery and ultimate level of function.

Relationship Between Central Hypotonia and Motor Development in Infants Attending a High-Risk Neonatal Neurology Clinic.

PURPOSE: To study the relationship between central hypotonia and motor development, and to determine the relative contribution of nuchal, truncal, and appendicular hypotonia domains to motor development. METHODS: Appendicular, nuchal, and truncal tones of high-risk infants were assessed, as was their psychomotor developmental index (PDI). Infants with peripheral hypotonia were excluded. RESULTS: We included 164 infants (mean age 9.6 ± 4 months), 36 with normal tone in all 3 domains and 128 with central hypotonia. Twenty-six of the latter had hypotonia in 1 domain and 102 had multiple combinations of 3 domains. Hypotonia domains were distributed as follows: truncal (n = 115), appendicular (n = 93), and nuchal (n = 70). Each domain was significantly associated with PDI scores (P < .001) but not with a later diagnosis of cerebral palsy. On linear regression, nuchal hypotonia had the strongest contribution to PDI scores (ß = -0.6 [nuchal], -0.45 [appendicular], and -0.4 [truncal], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Central hypotonia, especially nuchal tone, is associated with lowered motor development scores.

Síndrome de Kabuki: una enfermedad con pronóstico heterogéneo / Kabuki syndrome: a disease with a heterogeneous prognosis

El síndrome de Kabuki es una enfermedad poco frecuente y de presentación clínica muy variable. Su diagnóstico se basa fundamentalmente en los hallazgos clínicos. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar 2 casos clínicos del mismo síndrome con diferencias clínicas, evolutivas y pronósticas. El primer caso se trata de una niña evaluada en nuestro servicio con casi 10 años de edad, sin tratamiento médico previo, antecedentes de una cardiopatía compleja severa, fenotipo característico e hipotonía severa generalizada. El segundo caso es una niña en seguimiento por nuestro servicio desde los 5 meses, con fenotipo característico, hipotonía leve-moderada y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor. En ambos casos el tratamiento rehabilitador consigue mejorar su situación clínica aunque tienen una evolución muy diferente. El tratamiento debe ser individualizado, la intervención terapéutica precoz condicionará su evolución y pronóstico (AU)

Kabuki syndrome is a rare disease with a highly variable clinical presentation. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical findings. This report aims to present two cases of the same syndrome with different clinical presentation and outcome. The first case was a girl first evaluated in our department when she was nearly 10 years old, with no previous medical treatment. She had a severe complex heart disease, characteristic phenotype and severe generalized hypotonia. The second case was a girl who had been followed-up in our department since she was 5 months old, with characteristic phenotype, mild-moderate hypotonia and developmental delay. In both patients, rehabilitation improved their clinical status, although outcome differed in each. Treatment of Kabuki syndrome should be individualized and early therapeutic intervention will affect its clinical course and outcome (AU)

Efficacy of orthoses for children with hypotonia: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to determine the efficacy of orthoses for children with hypotonia and provide a concise summary of the state of the evidence in this area. METHODS: Fifteen search terms were used to find articles addressing children with hypotonia, orthotic use, and physical therapy. RESULTS: Ten articles met the inclusion criteria, but no level I evidence was found. Data were reported for body structure and activity components, but not participation outcomes. Current evidence suggests that foot orthoses and supramalleolar orthoses may benefit children with hypotonia; however, the evidence is low level. CONCLUSION: The evidence for efficacy of orthoses for children with hypotonia continues to have gaps with the following questions still unanswered: When is the optimal time to introduce orthoses? Are foot orthoses or supramalleolar orthoses more efficacious? Should orthoses be combined with physical therapy?

An access technology delivery protocol for children with severe and multiple disabilities: a case demonstration.

OBJECTIVE: This study applied response efficiency theory to create the Access Technology Delivery Protocol (ATDP), a child and family-centred collaborative approach to the implementation of access technologies. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, mixed methods case study to demonstrate the ATDP method with a 12-year-old boy with no reliable means of access to an external device. Evaluations of response efficiency, satisfaction, goal attainment, technology use and participation were made after 8 and 16 weeks of training with a custom smile-based access technology. RESULTS: At the 16 week mark, the new access technology offered better response quality; teacher satisfaction was high; average technology usage was 3-4 times per week for up to 1 h each time; switch sensitivity and specificity reached 78% and 64%, respectively, and participation scores increased by 38%. CONCLUSION: This case supports further development and testing of the ATDP with additional children with multiple or severe disabilities.

Síndrome de Prader-Willi. A propósito de un caso / Prader-Willi syndrome. Presentation of a case

Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido a término de 39+1; nació por cesárea urgente por sospecha de pérdida de bienestar fetal, con un test de Apgar de 4/6/8 e hipotonía axial con reflejos débiles. Tras 52 días de ingreso se desarrolló y aplicó un plan de cuidados individualizado basado en los patrones funcionales de Marjory Gordon y dominios NANDA. Se han utilizado los diagnósticos NANDA, las intervenciones según la clasificación de intervenciones de enfermería (NIC) y los resultados esperados según la clasificación de resultados (NOC).A través de este plan de cuidados, se resolvieron los diagnósticos identificados y las complicaciones potenciales. La evolución fue lenta pero favorable, consiguiendo estimular la succión y un buen enganche al pecho, con un adecuado aumento de peso, disminución de la rigidez muscular y mayor respuesta a estímulos (AU)

We report the case of a term infant of 39+1, born by emergency cesarean section due to suspected fetal distress with an Apgar test 4/6/8 and axial hypotonia with weak reflexes. After 52 days of hospitalization an individualized care plan was developed and applied based on Marjory Gordon's functional patterns model and NANDA domains. We used the NANDA diagnoses, interventions according to nursing interventions classification (NIC), and the expected results as classified by nursing outcomes (NOC). Through the care plan, the identified diagnoses and potential complications were resolved. Progress was slow but favorable, stimulating sucking and achieving a good breastfeeding latch, with an appropriate weight gain, decreased muscle stiffness, and increased response to stimuli (AU)

The impact of abnormal muscle tone from hemiplegia on reclining wheelchair positioning: a sliding and pressure evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the influence of existing muscle tone abnormality on the sitting posture of stroke patients in reclining wheelchairs. AIM: To investigate the impact of muscle tone abnormality from hemiplegia on the forward sliding and pressure of stroke patients while sitting in reclining wheelchairs. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: The Assistive Devices/Technology Center at the Rehabilitation Department of hospital. POPULATION: 14 able-bodied elders and nonambulatory elderly stroke patients with flaccid (N.=12) or spastic hemiplegia (N.=13) participated in this study. Of the 12 patients with flaccid hemiplegia, 8 suffered from left-sided hemiplegia and 4 from right-sided hemiplegia. Of the 13 patients with spastic hemiplegia, 6 suffered from left-sided hemiplegia and 7 from right-sided hemiplegia. METHODS: We performed 3 reclining cycles in wheelchairs with conventional seats and V-shaped seats for each participant. The sliding along the backrest (BS) plane and the seat (SS) plane, mean sitting pressure (MP), and sacral peak pressure (SPP) of the participants were recorded. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the difference in BS, SS, MP, and SPP between able-bodied elders and stroke patients. RESULTS: The BS, SS, and SPP during repetitive reclining were generally greatest in flaccid hemiplegic participants, followed by spastic hemiplegic participants, and finally by able-bodied participants. There was no significant difference in MP among three subject groups on both conventional seats and V-shaped seats in most comparisons. Able-bodied participants' buttocks tended to slide forward on conventional seats but backward on V-shaped seats, whereas hemiplegic participants' buttocks slid forward on both seat types. CONCLUSION: Stroke patients with flaccid hemiplegia are the most vulnerable to sacral sitting and higher sacral pressure in reclining wheelchairs, followed by patients with spastic hemiplegia. There is a difference in the displacement pattern between participants with normal muscle tone and those with abnormal muscle tone during wheelchair positioning. People who have hemiplegia with spasticity do not have incremental forward sliding with repetitive reclining in the same way as those who have a flaccid hemiplegia. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The findings are valuable for wheelchair prescription and caregiver education.

Diagnosis dialog for pediatric physical therapists: hypotonia, developmental coordination disorder, and pediatric obesity as examples.

PURPOSE: To clarify what diagnosis means for pediatric physical therapists, to provide several examples of human movement dysfunction syndromes, and to offer guidance for how pediatric physical therapists may continue this work in any clinical setting. KEY POINTS: The importance of diagnosis in pediatric physical therapy is presented along with examples of 3 different processes used to develop diagnostic labels. These processes included surveys to identify consensus opinion of clinicians, a literature review, and a combination of these 2. Hypotonia, developmental coordination disorder, and pediatric obesity are presented as examples. SUMMARY: The 3 diagnoses serve as a basis for ongoing dialogue, discussion, and development of diagnostic labels for human movement syndromes identified by pediatric physical therapists.

[The head-up-orthosis - a good solution for ambulant patients with Dropped-head-syndrome]. / Die «Head-Up-Kopfhalteorthese¼ - eine gute Lösung für gehfähige Patienten mit «Dropped-Head-Syndrom¼

Severe paresis of the neck muscles, dystonia or an increased activation of the head flexor can lead to dropped-head syndrome. It can be based on various neurological diseases. We present a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with severe paresis of the head extensor muscles, which led to a dropped-head syndrome. Usual advices did not permit an adequate swallowing and breathing. The new developed device (head-up) can be adjusted on the individual needs which lead to a marked improvement in quality of life of the patient. Especially for ambulatory patients with Dropped-head syndrome is the «head-up¼ a very good solution.

Gait strategy in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type and Down syndrome.

People suffering from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) hypermobility type present a severe ligament laxity that results in difficulties in muscle force transmission. The same condition is present in people suffering from Down syndrome (DS) even if their clumsy movements are due to cerebral and cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to quantify the gait patterns of subjects with EDS and with DS using Gait Analysis (GA). We quantified the gait strategy in 12 EDS individuals and in 16 participants with DS. Both pathological groups were compared to 20 age-matched healthy controls in terms of kinematics and kinetics. Results showed that DS individuals are characterized by a more compromised gait pattern than EDS participants, even if both groups are characterized by joint hypermobility. All the patients showed significant decreased of ankle stiffness probably due to congenital hypotonia and ligament laxity, while different values of hip stiffness. These findings help to elucidate the complex biomechanical changes due to joint hypermobility and may have a major role in the multidimensional evaluation and tailored management of these patients.

[Post-stroke flaccid limb dysfunction treated with the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and rehabilitation: muti-center randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value of the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and rehabilitation in the treatment of post-stroke flaccid limb dysfunction. METHODS: The four-center, single-blind, randomized and controlled research method was adopted, 240 qualified subjects were randomized into a comprehensive therapy group, an acupuncture group, a rehabilitation group and a Chinese herbal medicine group, 60 cases in each one, at the ratio of 1 1. In the comprehensive therapy group, the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and rehabilitation was applied. The acupuncture therapy included the scale acupuncture at middle line of vertex, lateral line 1 of vertex, lateral line 2 of vertex, etc. with the single reinforcing and reducing technique by the speed of needle insertion and withdrawal, and the body acupuncture therapy at the acupoints on the antagonistic muscles with the reinforcing and reducing technique by the needle rotation. The Chinese herbal medicine therapy included No. 1 stroke formula for the cases of liver and kidney yin deficiency and the upward disturbance of wind yang, No. 2 stroke formula for qi deficiency and blood stagnation, and the stagnation in meridians and No. 3 stroke formula for the interaction of phlegm and stasis and blockage of meridians according to the pattern/syndrome differentiation. The rehabilitation therapy focused on the promotion technique by putting the healthy limb. The simple acupuncture, rehabilitation and Chinese herbal medicine therapies as the comprehensive therapy group were applied in the acupuncture group, rehabilitation group and Chinese herbal medicine group separately. The Chinese medicine symptom, the limb motor function, the daily life activity, fainting needle reaction, allergic reaction and the others were taken as indices to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment. RESULTS: (1) The results of the four indices named the Chinese medicine symptom, the limb motor function, the limb balance function, the daily life activity were all improved significantly after treatment as compared with those before treatment in four groups (all P < 0.01). (2) Concerning to the improvement degrees, the improvements of the above four indices in the comprehensive therapy group were more significant than those in the other three groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The improvement in Chinese medicine symptom in the acupuncture group and the Chinese herbal medicine group were more significant than that in the rehabilitation group (both P < 0.05). The improvement of the upper limb motor function in the acupuncture group was more significant than that in the rehabilitation group and the Chinese herbal medicine group separately (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The comprehensive therapeutic program of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and rehabilitation is safe and effective in the treatment of post-stroke flaccid limb dysfunction. It is more advantageous in efficacy as compared with any simple therapy.

Gait pattern in two rare genetic conditions characterized by muscular hypotonia: Ehlers-Danlos and Prader-Willi syndrome.

This study aimed to quantify and compare the gait pattern in Ehlers-Danlos (EDS) and Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) patients to provide data for developing evidence-based rehabilitation strategies. Twenty EDS and 19 PWS adult patients were evaluated with an optoelectronic system and force platforms for measuring kinematic and kinetic parameters during walking. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 20 normal-weight controls (CG). The results showed that PWS patients walked with longer stance duration and reduced velocity than EDS, close to CG. Both EDS and PWS showed reduced anterior step length than CG. EDS kinematics evidenced a physiological position at proximal joints (pelvis and hip joint) while some deficits were displayed at knee (reduced flexion in swing phase) and ankle level (plantar flexed position in stance and reduced dorsal flexion in swing). PWS showed a forward tilted pelvis in the sagittal plane, excessive hip flexion during the whole gait cycle and an increased hip movement in the frontal plane. Their knees were flexed at initial contact with reduced range of motion while ankle joints showed a plantar flexed position during stance. No differences were found in terms of ankle kinetics and joint stiffness. Our data showed that EDS and PWS patients were characterized by a different gait strategy: PWS showed functional limitations at every level of the lower limb joints, whereas in EDS limitations, greater than PWS, were reported mainly at the distal joints. PWS patients should be encouraged to walk for its positive impact on muscle mass and strength and energy balance. For EDS patients the rehabilitation program should be focused on ankle strategy improvement.

The effects of muscle hypotonia and weakness on balance: a study on Prader-Willi and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) are two different genetical disorders both characterized, among other features, by muscular hypotonia. Postural control seems to be impaired in both conditions. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively compare postural control in adult PWS and EDS using stabilometric platform to unveil possible common determinants of impaired balance. We enrolled 11 PWS and 21 EDS adult patients and 20 age-matched controls. They were instructed to maintain an upright standing position for 30s with open eyes (OEs) focusing on a 6 cm black circle positioned at a distance of 1.5m. Both PWS and EDS patients were characterized by higher RANGEML, RANGEAP and trajectory length of CoP values as compared to CG. No statistically differences were found between PWS and EDS in terms of any of these parameters. The results demonstrated that both PWS and EDS are characterized by a severe postural instability. Muscle hypotonia and weakness may account for reduced balance capacity. Quantitative characterization of instability is important to identify, develop and enhance rehabilitation interventions.

Effectiveness of a 6-month home-based training program in Prader-Willi patients.

In addition to hypotonia and relative sarcopenia, patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) show reduced spontaneous physical activity and gait disorders. Scant evidence exists that daily muscle training increases their lean mass and physical activity levels. Whether adequate long-term physical training is feasible and effective in improving muscle function and gait in PWS is still unknown. Eleven adult PWS patients (mean age: 33.8±4.3 years; mean BMI: 43.3±5.9 kg/m(2)) admitted to our hospital were enrolled in this study. During their hospital stay they attended a 2-week rehabilitation program which included supervised exercise sessions. At discharge, Group 1 (6 patients) continued the same exercises at home for 6 months, while Group 2 (5 patients) did not continue home-based training. They were assessed at admission (PRE), at 2 weeks (POST1) and at 6 months (POST2). The assessment consisted of a clinical examination, 3D gait analysis and muscle strength measurement with an isokinetic dynamometer. After 2 weeks of supervised training (POST1), no significant changes in spatial-temporal gait parameters were observed, although significant improvements in ankle dorsal flexion during stance and swing and knee flexor strength were evidenced by 3D gait analysis and dynamometry in all patients. Following 6 months of home training (POST2), Group 1 had showed significant improvements in cadence and reduced knee hyperextension in mid-stance. Ankle plantar and dorsal flexors isokinetic strength had improved significantly at 120° s(-1), whereas Group 2 showed no changes in their spatial-temporal and kinematic parameters. The present study reinforces the idea that even in participants with PWS who present with a distinctive psychological profile, long-term group interventions are feasible and effective in improving their overall physical functioning. Providing an effective and simple home-based training program represents a continuum of the rehabilitation process outside the hospital, which is a crucial issue in chronic conditions.

Clinical characteristics of hypotonia: a survey of pediatric physical and occupational therapists.

PURPOSE: This study extended previous work on defining characteristics of children with hypotonia. METHODS: A survey regarding previously identified characteristics of hypotonia, examination tools, interventions, and prognosis was sent to a random sample of 500 physical therapists and 500 occupational therapists. RESULTS: A total of 268 surveys were returned, for a response rate of 26.8%. Characteristics most frequently observed in children with hypotonia included decreased strength, hypermobile joints, and increased flexibility. Observation was the most commonly cited assessment tool and 85% of those surveyed believe that characteristics of hypotonia improve with therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite agreement among physical and occupational therapists on characteristics of hypotonia and potential for improvement, clear clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and quantification of hypotonia have yet to be determined. Research is needed to develop an operational definition of hypotonia, develop valid tests and assess effectiveness of intervention.