Objective: The application of manual therapy as a treatment modality for various paediatric conditions has been met with mixed outcomes. One variable to consider is the amount of force applied as a part of treatment. There are recommendations for the amount of force used in manual therapy for infants is less than 20N; however, consideration must be made of whether this force is adequate to elicit a neurophysiological response.
Clinical Features: This case chronicles an infant who exhibited signs of neurodevelopmental delay that improved with an alternate treatment method that may use higher force application.
Interventions and Outcome: Two practitioners provided varying methods of treatment at different timepoints. Practitioner 1 provided tool-assisted manual therapy mobilizations performed within a physiological range of motion. Practitioner 2 provided manual therapy in the form of light touch and hold.
Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental changes were observed after treatment with tool-assisted manual therapy when compared to light touch and hold, however there are many limitations and confounders within this case study. Future research involving manual therapy may benefit from measuring force application.
Author keywords: Infant; Primary Health Care; Manual Therapy
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