title: Systematic review of interventions used in occupational therapy to promote motor performance for children ages birth-5 years.
abstract: We examined the research evidence for interventions used in occupational therapy to promote the motor performance of young children ages 0-5 yr. We identified 24 trials, Levels I-III, that met our review criteria. The studies fell into three categories: (1) developmental interventions for infants (ages 0-3 yr), (2) interventions for young children with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP), and (3) visual-motor interventions for preschool children (ages 3-5 yr). Developmental interventions showed low positive short-term effects with limited evidence for long-term effects, and findings on the benefits of neurodevelopmental treatment were inconclusive. Interventions using specific protocols for children with CP resulted in positive effects. Visual-motor interventions for children with developmental delays (ages 3-5 yr) resulted in short-term effects on children's visual-motor performance. Of the intervention approaches used in occupational therapy, those that embed behavioral and learning principles appear to show positive effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, 406 Atwell Hall, 453 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Jane.Case-Smith@osumc.edu
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Case-Smith
authors.forename: Gloria J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Frolek Clark
authors.forename: Theresa L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schlabach
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009048:Motor Skills; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome