Efficacy of intervening with active head control training at different times on  the recovery and gross motor development of infants with torticollis

WANG Chao; LIU Shuqi; DONG Miaomiao; LI Xiang; WANG Man

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0342

PDF(902 KB)

Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3) : 340-344. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0342

Efficacy of intervening with active head control training at different times on the recovery and gross motor development of infants with torticollis

WANG Chao, LIU Shuqi, DONG Miaomiao, LI Xiang, WANG Man

Author information +

History +

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the intervention effect of active head control training in different periods in children with torticollis, so as to provide scientific basis for promoting the prognosis and gross motor development of these children. Methods A total of 70 children with torticollis who visited the Second Rehabilitation Clinic of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Based on the timing of the introduction of head control training, the children were divided into an observation group and a control group, with 35 children in each group. Both groups underwent passive stretching exercises for the shortened sternocleidomastoid muscle. The control group received active head control training when the child could actively lift their head to 45° in prone position and maintain the position for ≥30s. The observation group received active head control training from the beginning of the first treatment. Neck passive range of motion (rotation to the affected side and lateral flexion to the unaffected side), the ratio of sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness between the two sides, and gross motor function were compared between the two groups before and after training. Results After training, the observation group significantly outperformed the control group in terms of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) score (96.26±10.01 vs. 89.97±8.96, t=2.769, P<0.05) and evoked items score (86.80±9.29 vs. 80.91±7.95, t=2.847, P<0.05). Further analysis showed that the differences in TIMP total score (49.20±10.83 vs. 43.54±7.87, t=2.500, P<0.05) and evoked items score (43.66±10.30 vs. 38.37±7.33, t=2.474, P<0.05) between pre- and post-training were significantly greater in the observation group compared to the control group. Conclusion Early intervention with active head control training can promote gross motor development and symmetrical contraction of bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles in children with torticollis.

Key words

torticollis / sternocleidomastoid muscle / gross motor development / early intervention

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

WANG Chao, LIU Shuqi, DONG Miaomiao, LI Xiang, WANG Man. Efficacy of intervening with active head control training at different times on the recovery and gross motor development of infants with torticollis[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(3): 340-344 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0342

References

[1] Zhao Z, Deng H, Li Y, et al. Experience with the management of 2 599 cases of congenital muscular torticollis and a multicenter epidemiological investigation in 17 hospitals in China[J]. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 2023,24(1):901.
[2] Rodriguez-Huguet M, Rodriguez-Almagro D, Rosety-Rodriguez MA, et al. Effectiveness of the treatment of physiotherapy in the congenital muscular torticollis: A systematic review[J]. Children (Basel), 2023,11(1):8.
[3] Hoiness PR, Medboe A. Surgical treatment of congenital muscular torticollis: Significant improvement in health-related quality of life among a 2-year follow-up cohort of children, adolescents, and young adults[J]. J Pediatr Orthop, 2023,43(9):e769-e774.
[4] 陈楠,杜青,陈晨,等.先天性肌性斜颈患儿早期运动发育状况及相关危险因素分析[J].华西医学,2018,33(10):1257-1261.
Chen N, Du Q, Chen C, et al. Analysis of early motor development status and related risk factors in children with congenital muscular torticollis[J].West China Medical College, 2018,33(10):1257-1261.(in Chinese)
[5] Kaplan SL, Coulter C, Sargent B. Physical therapy management of congenital muscular torticollis: A 2018 evidence-based clinical practice guideline from the APTA academy of pediatric physical therapy[J]. Pediatr Phys Ther, 2018,30(4):240-290.
[6] Rahlin M, Haney NB, Barnett J. Perception-action approach versus standard care for infants with congenital muscular torticollis: A pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial[J]. Phys Ther, 2024,104(4):pzae038.
[7] 屈福祥.婴儿运动表现测试中国常模及其信效度的研究[D].重庆:中国人民解放军陆军军医大学,2022.
Qu FX. Research on Chinese Norm and its reliability and validity of Infant Motor Performance Test [D].Chongqing:Army Medical University of Chinese People's Liberation Army, 2022.(in Chinese)
[8] 韩佳乐,曹建国,王景刚,等.婴儿运动表现测试和Alberta婴儿运动量表在0～4月龄高危儿中的应用[J].中国妇幼保健,2023,38(9):1635-1638.
Han JL, Cao JG, Wang JG, et al. Application of Infant Motor Performance Test and Alberta Infant Motor Scale in high-risk infants aged 0 to 4 months[J].China Maternal and Child Health Care, 2023,38(9):1635-1638.(in Chinese)
[9] Ravarian A, Rahmani N, Soleimani F, et al. Test of Infant Motor Performance: Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability in Persian infants[J]. Early Hum Dev, 2023,184:105831.
[10] Xiao Y, Chi Z, Yuan F, et al. Effectiveness and safety of massage in the treatment of the congenital muscular torticollis:A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol[J].Medicine (Baltimore), 2020,99(35):e21879.
[11] 单玲,李洪华,王冰,等.ICF-CY框架下先天性肌性斜颈的评估与综合治疗[J]. 中华临床医师杂志(电子版), 2019,13(1):69-73.
Shan L, Li HH, Wang B, et al. Evaluation and comprehensive treatment of congenital muscular torticollis under the framework of ICF-CY[J]. Chin J Clinicians (Electronic Edition), 2019,13(1):69-73. (in Chinese)
[12] Kuo AA, Tritasavit S, Graham JJ. Congenital muscular torticollis and positional plagiocephaly[J]. Pediatr Rev, 2014,35(2):79-87, 87.
[13] Lin CH, Hsu HC, Hou YJ, et al. Relationship between sonography of sternocleidomastoid muscle and cervical passive range of motion in infants with congenital muscular torticollis[J]. Biomed J, 2018,41(6):369-375.
[14] 杨晓颜,周璇,毛琳,等.中西医结合治疗婴儿先天性肌性斜颈的效果[J].中国康复理论与实践, 2020,26(8):897-902.
Yang XY, Zhou X, Mao L, et al. The effect of combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine on the treatment of congenital muscular torticollis in infants[J] Chinese Rehabilitation Theory and Practice, 2020,26 (8): 897-902.(in Chinese)
[15] Campbell SK. Functional movement assessment with the Test of Infant Motor Performance[J]. J Perinatol, 2021,41(10):2385-2394.
[16] 赵娜, 骆雄飞, 苏志超, 等. 美国物理治疗协会2018年《先天性肌性斜颈的循证医学指南》解读——早期识别、分级与治疗[J]. 中国康复医学杂志, 2020,35(2):221-223.
Zhao N, Luo XF, Su ZC, et al. Interpretation of the 2018 Evidence Based Medicine Guidelines for Congenital Muscular Torticollis by the American Physical Therapy Association - Early identification, grading, and treatment[J] Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2020,35(2): 221-223.(in Chinese)
[17] Pietruszewski L, Moore-Clingenpeel M, Moellering G, et al. Predictive value of the test of infant motor performance and the Hammersmith infant neurological examination for cerebral palsy in infants[J]. Early Hum Dev, 2022,174:105665.
[18] 王成举, 胡斌, 屈福祥, 等. 婴儿运动表现测试在早产儿运动评估中的应用[J]. 中国儿童保健杂志, 2020,28(7):744-747.
Wang CJ, Hu B, Qu FX, et al. The application of infant motor performance testing in premature infant motor assessment[J] Chin J Child Health Care, 2020,28 (7): 744-747.(in Chinese)
[19] Song S, Hwang W, Lee S. Effect of physical therapy intervention on thickness and ratio of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and head rotation angle in infants with congenital muscular torticollis: A randomized clinical trial (CONSORT)[J]. Medicine (Baltimore), 2021,100(33):e26998.
[20] Ellwood J, Draper-Rodi J, Carnes D. The effectiveness and safety of conservative interventions for positional plagiocephaly and congenital muscular torticollis: A synthesis of systematic reviews and guidance[J]. Chiropr Man Therap, 2020,28(1):31.