Improvement in the Adaptation and Wellbeing of Children with Neuromotor Disabilities

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 646

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Interests: cerebral palsy; neuromotor disorders; neuroscience; pediatrics
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Guest Editor
College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
Interests: neurosciences; helping immobile children; physical therapy; rehabilitation sciences

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Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, MUSC College of Health Professions, Charleston, SC, USA
Interests: pediatric occupational; therapy infant motor skill development; cerebral palsy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative calls for a new global rehabilitation community because of the increased global need for rehabilitation services. Investments in infectious disease, cardiovascular health, and prenatal care have lowered mortality rates across the course of life, but they have simultaneously increased the numbers of individuals living with acute and chronic disabling conditions, especially neuromotor disabilities. Children with disabilities may suffer from major developmental consequences that can alter the entire trajectories of their development across the lifespan. Unfortunately, similar investments have not been placed in rehabilitation and educational services, research, and social supports that maximize community enablement, health, and wellbeing for individuals with neuromotor disabilities. A historical emphasis on combatting infectious diseases within the framework of development assistance for health has created structures that disenfranchise other health needs, like those of children with disabilities. The WHO has also found that children with disabilities are less likely to finish their education and account for 33% of children out of school often because of limited support services. Against this background, improvement in the adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities is of great significance, deserving much research and intervention.

With the knowledge that the largest gaps in the available rehabilitation, education, and support services occur in lower-resourced communities, including low- and middle-income countries as well as under-served communities in countries with higher resources, this Special Issue aims to highlight authors and researchers seeking to address these challenges. Specifically, we welcome the submission of related reviews (meta-analyses), empirical research, and intervention studies that aim to highlight areas of specific need and work, aiming to improve neuromotor disability services and maximize community enablement for the millions of individuals living with childhood-onset disability. A multidisciplinary perspective (e.g., rehabilitation, psychology, medicine, and education) is encouraged, and we hope that the articles within this Special Issue will provide inspiration for intervention practice and contribute to improving the adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities.

Dr. Stephanie C. DeLuca
Dr. Cindy Brown Dodds
Prof. Dr. Patricia Coker-Bolt
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • social support and educational interventions
  • brain injuries
  • cerebral palsy
  • neuromotor disorders/disabilities
  • neuromuscular conditions
  • genetic diagnosis
  • early acquired brain injury
  • stroke
  • preterm birth
  • effective community supports to build and create system change
  • participation of children with disabilities
  • pediatric education for rehabilitation practitioners
  • adaptation and wellbeing of children with neuromotor disabilities

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 302 KiB  
Article
Validity of PROMIS® Pediatric Physical Activity Parent Proxy Short Form Scale as a Physical Activity Measure for Children with Cerebral Palsy Who Are Non-Ambulatory
by Nia Toomer-Mensah, Margaret O’Neil and Lori Quinn
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 1042; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081042 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Background: Self-report physical activity (PA) scales, accelerometry, and heart rate (HR) monitoring are reliable tools for PA measurement for children with cerebral palsy (CP); however, there are limitations for those who are primary wheelchair users. The purpose of our study was to [...] Read more.
Background: Self-report physical activity (PA) scales, accelerometry, and heart rate (HR) monitoring are reliable tools for PA measurement for children with cerebral palsy (CP); however, there are limitations for those who are primary wheelchair users. The purpose of our study was to evaluate face and construct validity of the PROMIS® Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a in measuring PA amount and intensity in children with CP who are non-ambulatory. Methods: Face validity: Semi-structured interviews with parents and pediatric physical therapists (PTs) were conducted about the appropriateness of each item on the PROMIS® Pediatric PA short form. Construct validity: Children with CP who were non-ambulatory participated in a one-week observational study. PA amount and intensity were examined using PA monitors (Actigraph GT9X) and HR monitors (Fitbit Charge 4). Activity counts and time in sedentary and non-sedentary intensity zones were derived and compared to the PROMIS® T-scaled score. Results: Twenty-two physical therapists (PTs) and fifteen parents participated in the interviews, and ten children completed 1-week PA observation. Eight and seven participants completed sufficient time of uninterrupted PA and HR monitor wear, respectively. Parents and PTs agreed that several questions were not appropriate for children with CP who were non-ambulatory. PA intensity via activity counts derived from wrist worn monitors showed a strong positive correlation with the PROMIS® PA measure. Conclusions: Construct validity in our small sample was established between PROMIS® scores and accelerometry activity counts when documenting PA amount and intensity; however, there were some differences on PROMIS® face validity per parent and PT respondents. Despite some concerns regarding face validity, the PROMIS® Pediatric PA parent proxy short form 8a shows promise as a valid measure of physical activity amount and intensity in non-ambulatory children with CP, warranting further investigation and refinement. Full article
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