Abstract
BackgroundTrunk control is generally considered to be related to gross motor development. However, this assumption has not been validated with clinical data. This pilot study was the first of its kind to examine the longitudinal development of segmental trunk control and gross motor development from 4 to 12 months of age in typically developing full-term infants.MethodsA convenience cohort of 20 healthy full-term infants (mean gestation = 39.0 weeks, SD 1.2; mean birthweight = 2975.0 g, SD 297.0; males = 10) was recruited. All study infants were tested and scored monthly by independent assessors using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale from 4 to 12 months of age.ResultsA developmental trend of segmental trunk control was found in the infants. Static vertical upright trunk control developed prior to active and reactive control. Statistically significant correlations were found between trunk control status and gross motor development mainly in prone and sitting positions from 8 months of age onwards (all p < 0.004, Spearman’s r ranged from 0.644 to 0.798).ConclusionsThis pilot study provides preliminary clinical evidence to support the inter-dependency between vertical upright trunk control and gross motor development in young infants, particularly as upright functional skills are gained. This suggests that a dual focus on training upright trunk control alongside gross motor skills could be of benefit in the treatment of infants with movement disorders.
Highlights
Trunk control is generally considered to be related to gross motor development
Trunk control plays a significant role in motor development when a typically developing (TD) infant starts to move against the gravity during their first 12 months of life but is commonly delayed in infants and young children with movement disorders [1]
Pin et al BMC Pediatrics (2019) 19:425 control is developed in a segmental cephalic to caudal sequence in TD young infants [7] and before they have achieved independent sitting, their reaching performance is highly correlated with the level of their segmental trunk control [8, 9]
Summary
Trunk control is generally considered to be related to gross motor development This assumption has not been validated with clinical data. This pilot study was the first of its kind to examine the longitudinal development of segmental trunk control and gross motor development from 4 to 12 months of age in typically developing full-term infants. Conventional outcome measures of developmental milestones and trunk control do not, and cannot, examine this relationship between segmental trunk control and gross motor development This information is important for clinicians working with infants and young children with movement disorders. Knowledge of the correlation between segmental trunk control and typical gross motor development is likely to enhance our understanding of how to assess and to enhance functional abilities in infants and young children with movement disorders
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