The Alberta Infant Motor Scale: A tool for the assessment of motor aspects of neurodevelopment in infancy and early childhood

The Alberta Infant Motor Scale as an Outcomes Measure of Gross Motor Abilities after Early Complex Cardiac Surgery

To address the research hypothesis that the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) completed following complex cardiac surgery (CCS) is a useful outcomes measure this study determined: (1) AIMS scores at age 8 months after CCS; (2) predictive validity of AIMS at 8 months for Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III Gross Motor-scaled scores (GMSS) and diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) at 21 months; and (3) predictive demographic and surgical variables of AIMS scores. A prospective cohort study of 250/271 (92.3%) surviving children from Northern Alberta (born 2009-2020) who had CCS at age < 6 months determined AIMS scores at age mean (SD) 8.6 (2.4) and the GMSS at 21.9 (3.8) months. Gross motor delay was defined as AIMS < 5th percentile and GMSS as < 4 (-2SD). Predictions using multiple logistic regressions were expressed as Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Of children, 100/250 (40%) had AIMS < 5th predicting GMSS < 4 (n = 43); sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were 88%, 71%, 40%, and 97%. Hospitalization days were independently associated with AIMS < 5th, OR 1.02 (95% CI 1.007, 1.032; p = 0.005). Excluding hospital days, ventilation days independently predicted AIMS < 5th, OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.038, 1.125, p < 0.001. Gross motor delay determine by AIMS scores of < 5th percentile occurred in 40% of survivors with good prediction of continued delay. Delay determined by AIMS was predicted by longer hospitalization and ventilation; further investigations about the causes are required. AIMS results provide opportunity for early motor intervention.

Kids+ Parent Infant Program (PIP): a community model for supporting partnerships in early developmental follow-up and support

High-risk infants are discharged home from hospital with increased care needs and the potential for the emergence of developmental disabilities, contributing to high levels of parental stress and anxiety. To enable optimal outcomes for high-risk infants and their families, developmental follow-up programs need to continue following hospital discharge. However, current follow-up care for high-risk infants is variable in terms of type, access and equity, and there seems to be a gap in existing services such as supporting the transition home, parental support, and inclusion of all at-risk infants regardless of causality. Routine follow-up that identifies developmental delays or neuromotor concerns can facilitate timely referral and access to targeted intervention during critical periods of development. The Kids+ Parent Infant Program (PIP) is a unique model of developmental follow-up that shares some characteristics with established programs, but also includes additional key elements for a seamless, wrap-around service for all high-risk infants and their families living in a regional area of Australia. This community-based program provides integrated assessment and intervention of infants, alongside parent support and education, embracing a holistic model that accounts for the complexity and interrelatedness of infant, parent, medical and developmental factors. By prioritising the well-being of high-risk infants and their families, the Kids+ PIP paves the way for improved developmental outcomes and provides an innovative model for developmental follow-up, with the potential for reproduction in other healthcare settings.

Agreement of synchronous remote and in-person application of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale: Cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Using standardized scales to assess motor development via telemedicine can increase access for low-income populations. Our aim was to verify the agreement and feasibility between remotely and synchronously applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the in-person format.

METHODS

This was a concordance study, with 77 typical infants aged 4-18 months (mean = 13 months). The AIMS was applied remote via video calls and face-to-face. We applied a questionnaire to caregivers to verify feasibility.

RESULTS

There was a high level of agreement between the remote and in-person assessments, with intraclass correlation coefficients above 0.98 and low standard error measure values (<1 item for each posture, <2 items for the total raw score, and =5% for the normative score). The smallest detectable change was between 1.67 and 2.45 for each posture, 3 for the total raw score, and 6% for the normative score. The Bland-Altman analysis showed low bias with the mean difference close to zero (<0.80) and low error with little dispersion of the difference points around the mean. Caregivers' perspectives on the synchronous remote assessment were positive, with good quality, clear information during the assessment, and comfort with the method.

DISCUSSION

The synchronous remote application of the AIMS may be an alternative for families without access to in-person services that assess motor development.

Early childhood development monitoring during the first thousand days: Investigating the relationship between the developmental surveillance instrument and standardized scales

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the relationship between the Developmental Surveillance Instrument -Instrumento de Vigilância do Desenvolvimento (IVD), found in the Child's Booklet Caderneta da Crianca (CC), and standardized scales: Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Denver Developmental Screening Test (Denver-II).

METHODS

Employing an exploratory observational approach, we adopted a prospective longitudinal design with a quantitative approach. The convenience sample included 83 Brazilian children born between May and August 2019 in a public hospital. Of the total, 45 (54.22 %) were male, and 38 (45.78 %) were female. Developmental screening utilized the IVD, AIMS and Denver-II tests. Comparative analysis between groups employed Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests for numerical variables and chi-square/Fisher tests for categorical variables, with a significance level of 5 % (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

A significant correlation was observed between the IVD and the AIMS and Denver-II tests (p < 0.001) at months 1, 4, and 8.

CONCLUSION

The presence of a robust correlation between the IVD and the AIMS and Denver-II tests at months 1, 4, and 8 implies that the IVD in the Child's Booklet serves as a reliable and effective indicator for screening infant development during this critical period. Detecting issues early through these methods is crucial to ensure the well-being of children, allowing for appropriate interventions as needed.

The psychometric properties and feasibility of the Alberta infant motor scale used in telehealth: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Telehealth can be a viable option for improving equitable access to early motor assessment for financially vulnerable individuals.

AIM

This review aimed to identify the psychometric properties of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) when applied via telehealth and assess its feasibility.

METHODS

Papers were systematically retrieved from electronic databases until October 4, 2023. We included studies that assessed the motor development of infants using the AIMS through telehealth.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies, encompassing 897 infants (449 male and 396 female), were included in this review. Among them, 805 were typical infants and 92 were at risk of motor delay. The age range of participants spanned from 4.9 weeks to 20 months. The studies found good concurrent validity between telehealth and in-person assessments (ICC > 0.98, SEM < 1.6, mean difference = 0.5) and good to excellent reliability (ICC > 0.80) using home videos recorded by parents or video calls with researchers. Telehealth was perceived as feasible by parents, who expressed high satisfaction, and the quality of images and assessments met commendable standards.

CONCLUSION

Considering the limited number of studies that have assessed infants with neuromotor disorders, this scale has the potential for telehealth application in evaluating typical infants.

Adapting a measure of gross motor skills for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder: A psychometric study

PURPOSE

Validated measures capable of demonstrating meaningful interventional change in the CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) are lacking. The study objective was to modify the Rett Syndrome Gross Motor Scale (RSGMS) and evaluate its psychometric properties for individuals with CDD.

METHODS

Item and scoring categories of the RSGMS were modified. Caregivers registered with the International CDKL5 Clinical Research Network uploaded motor videos filmed at home to a protected server and completed a feedback questionnaire (n = 70). Rasch (n = 137), known groups (n = 109), and intra- and inter-rater reliability analyses (n = 50) were conducted.

RESULTS

The age of individuals with CDD ranged from 1.5 to 34.1 years. The modified scale, Gross Motor-Complex Disability (GM-CD), comprised 17 items. There were no floor or ceiling effects and inter- and intra-rater reliability were good. Rasch analysis demonstrated that the items encompassed a large range of performance difficulty, although there was some item redundancy and some disordered categories. One item, Prone Head Position, was a poor fit. Caregiver-reported acceptability was positive. Scores differed by age and functional abilities.

SUMMARY

GM-CD appears to be a suitable remotely administered measure and psychometrically sound for individuals with CDD. This study provides the foundation to propose the use of GM-CD in CDD clinical trials. Longitudinal evaluation is planned.

A Call for Early Detection of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability across the lifespan, but historically, CP has not been diagnosed before the age of 2 years. Barriers to early diagnosis ranged from lack of available biomarkers, absence of curative treatments, perceived stigma associated with a lifelong diagnosis, and a desire to rule out other diagnoses first. Most importantly, the fundamental question that remained was whether children would benefit from earlier detection and intervention given the paucity of research. However, evidence-based guidelines published in 2017 demonstrated that the General Movements Assessment, the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, and neuroimaging can be combined with other elements such as a clinical history and standardized motor assessments to provide the highest predictive value for diagnosing CP as early as age 3 months in high-risk newborns. Implementation of these guidelines has been successful in decreasing the age at CP diagnosis, particularly in high-risk infant follow-up clinics with expertise in performing these assessments. Early detection of CP allows for clinical and research opportunities investigating earlier interventions during a critical period of neuroplasticity, with the goal of improving developmental trajectories for children and their families. New guidelines and research are now being developed with a focus on early, targeted interventions that continue to be studied, along with global detection initiatives.

Motor Development Comparison between Preterm and Full-Term Infants Using Alberta Infant Motor Scale

The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was developed to evaluate the motor development of infants up to 18 months of age. We studied 252 infants in three groups (105 healthy preterm infants (HPI), 50 preterm infants with brain injury (PIBI), and 97 healthy full-term infants (HFI) under 18 months, corrected age (CoA)) using AIMS. No significant differences were found among HPI, PIBI, and HFI in infants less than 3 months old, yet significant differences were noted in positional scores (p < 0.05) and total scores for those four to six months of age and seven to nine months of age. A significant difference was also found in standing items for infants over 10 months (p < 0.05). After four months, there was a difference in motor development between preterm (with and without brain injury) and full-term infants. In particular, there was a significant difference in motor development between HPI and HFI and between PIBI and HFI at four to nine months, when motor skills developed explosively (p < 0.05). After four months, motor developmental delays (10th ≥) were observed in HPI and PIBI at rates of 26% and 45.8%, respectively. Midline supine development, a representative indicator of early motor development, was slower even in healthy preterm infants than in full-term infants. AIMS has a good resolution to discriminate preterm infants who are showing insufficient motor development from 4 months to 9 months.