Academic research supporting MOVE

The trans-disciplinary MOVE team creates repeated opportunities for the meaningful practice of functional skills as a part of daily life.

• Functional Intervention

• Goal oriented intervention

• Weight bearing

• Maintenance of skills

• Increased alertness

Functional intervention

Studies measuring motor function outcomes show that therapy may maximise motor abilities, but these are not maintained in the long term if they are not used in daily activity

(Bower E, Mitchell D, Burnett M, Campbell MJ, McLellan DL (2001) “Randomised controlled trial of physiotherapy in 56 children with cerebral palsy followed for 18 months”. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 43, 4-15.)

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Goal oriented intervention

The work of Bower and McLellan has shown that goal oriented intervention incorporated into daily activity without requiring extra time from the carer is most likely to be maintained.

(Bower E, McLellan DL (1992) “Effect of increased exposure to physiotherapy on skill acquisition of children with Cerebral Palsy”. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 34, 25-39)

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Weight bearing

Weight bearing activity 3 times a week for 20 minutes over 8 months improved bone mineral density in children with spastic Cerebral Palsy

(Chad KE, Bailey D, MacKay H, Zello G, Snyder R (1999) “The effect of weight bearing physical activity on bone mineral content and estimated volumetric density in children with spastic cerebral palsy”. Journal of Paediatrics. 135, 115-117)

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Maintenance of skills

Bottos et al (2001) showed that the initial achievement of independent walking does not imply that this will persist to maturity.

(Bottos M, Feliciangeli A, Scutio L, Gericke C, Vianello A (2001) “Functional status of adults with Cerebral Palsy and implications for treatment of children”. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 43, 516-528)

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Increased alertness

Low (2004) notes improved sleep patterns and consequently improved alertness in school time when children are physically active for many parts of the school day

(Low, S (2004) “Effects of Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) Curriculum on range of motion, motor skills, and functional mobility of children with severe multiple disabilities: a pilot programme” Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology AACPDM abstract Vol. 46)

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