Telehealth Program for Infants at Risk of Cerebral Palsy during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Pre-post Feasibility Experimental Study

Abstract

Aim: To verify the effects of a telerehabilitation program for infants at high risk for Cerebral Palsy (CP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Longitudinal study. Infants were aged 3–18 months corrected age, at risk of developmental delay. The General Movement Assessment or a neurologic examination were performed to identify the risk of CP. Motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Caregivers of infants at high risk of CP applied a home-based program supervised by a Physical therapist, five times a week over 12 weeks. The program included guidance for optimal positioning, optimization of goal-directed activities, environmental enrichment, and educational strategies. Results: 100 infants at risk for delayed motor development were recruited. Eighteen infants were classified at high risk of CP, and 10 families completed telerehabilitation (83% final retention rate). No adverse events were reported. Adherence to the telecare program was high (90%). The costs were low. We found increased scores for all dimensions and the total score of the GMFM-88, and the AIMS percentile at the end of the intervention. Most infants presented a clinically significant change for the GMFM-88. Conclusions: The telecare program was feasible.