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

PURPOSE: 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).

METHODS

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).

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: REBEC-RBR-3vhw2hx.