We believe that to achieve optimal functional outcomes, infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities must be identified early and participate in intensive, carefully engineered, targeted therapy programs during infancy when their neural circuitry is developing.
Our research focuses on understanding typical/atypical motor learning and development to inform the early identification and intervention of infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities.
Current projects include:
Quantifying Selective Motor Control of Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy
Infants at high risk of cerebral palsy have reduced selective hip-knee control. The purpose of this study is to quantify the selective control of infants with cerebral palsy while spontaneously kicking from 1 to 9 months of age, and to determine if participating in specific tasks, such as actively reaching with a foot to touch a toy or actively taking steps on a treadmill from 3 to 9 months of age, increases selective control. IMPACT: Potential for earlier identification of cerebral palsy and informs early intervention. PI: Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS. Supported by the National Institutes of Health K12, the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy.
News release: Gammon K. USC physical therapy researcher Barbara Sargent aims to detect cerebral palsy in infants earlier than ever before. 2019 (click here)
Promoting Standing and Walking of Infants born Very Preterm
Infants born very preterm are at increased risk of learning and motor impairments that may delay walking skills. The purpose of this study is to: (1) determine if infants born very preterm that are placed in a harness system demonstrate new walking behaviors and if they can learn walking tasks to promote selective hip-knee control, and (2) compare the infants’ hip-knee control when playing in the harness system and when taking steps when supported over a treadmill. IMPACT: Informs early intervention. PI: Nora Almoadi, MS, PT (Saudi Arabia). Supported by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Feasibility of an In-home Standing and Walking Intervention for Infants with and at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy
Infants with and at high risk of cerebral palsy are at increased risk of learning and motor impairments that may delay walking skills. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of an early, intensive 8-week parent-led standing and walking intervention that uses an in-home harness system for infants with or at high risk of cerebral palsy. Impact: Informs early intervention for infants with and at high risk of cerebral palsy. PT: Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS. Supported by the California Physical Therapy Association and the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
Therapeutic Intervention Supporting Development from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to 6 months for Infants Post Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
The purpose of this pilot clinical trial to to evaluate the feasibility of a therapeutic intervention designed to support the development of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) during the first 6 months of life. IMPACT: Informs early intervention for infants with HIE. PI: Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS; Stacey Dusing, PhD, PT, PCS, FAPTA. Supported by the NIH National Pediatric Rehabilitation Resource Center (C-Progress).
SIT-PT: Comparing Two Physical Therapy Approaches for Young Children Beginning to Sit.
The SIT-PT research team is comparing the effectiveness of two physical therapy interventions for young children with or at high risk of cerebral palsy. Through this study, we hope to better understand which intervention approach is best to promote children’s early development and readiness to learn. IMPACT: Informs early intervention. PI: Dusing, Harbourne. Supported by the National Institutes of Health. Click here for more information: https://start-play.unl.edu/SIT-PT/
Development of a Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity for Infants and Toddlers (mini-SCALE)
The Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) quantifies selective motor control of children with cerebral palsy over 4 years of age. The purpose of this study is to develop a selective control assessment of the lower extremity for infants and toddlers from birth to 4 years of age. IMPACT: Informs assessment of infants and toddlers with cerebral palsy. PI: Fowler. Supported by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Click here for more information on the original SCALE: https://www.uclahealth.org/ccp/scale
Increasing Selective Hip-Knee Control of Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Feasibility Study
Infants at high risk of cerebral palsy have reduced selective motor control. We developed a 6-week in-home intervention to encourage selective hip-knee control. It uses a Microsoft Kinect™ to activate an infant mobile based on specific kicking actions. The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of the intervention, if infants learn the task, and if infants increase selective hip-knee control when participating in the task. IMPACT: Informs early intervention. PI: Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT, PCS. Supported by the National Institutes of Health K12, the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy, the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute (SC CTSI) Mentored Research Career Development Program, the SC CTSI Research Grant Program, and the James H. Zumberge Faculty Research and Innovation Fund at the University of Southern California.
News Release: Gammon K. Gaming system helps young babies kick their way to health. Popular Science. 2014. (click here)
Exploratory Learning to Encourage Selective Hip-Knee Control of Infants born Full-term and Preterm
Infants born very preterm are at high risk for motor impairments and have an increased risk of cerebral palsy. We redesigned the mobile task to motivate more selective hip-knee control by requiring infants to lift their feet progressively higher to activate the mobile. The purpose of this study is to determine if infants learn the task, if infants increase selective hip-knee control when participating in the task, and the strategies used to learn the task. IMPACT: Informs early intervention. PI: Jeongah (Jane) Kim, PhD, PT (Korea). Supported by the National Institutes of Health K12 and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy.