The reliable and valid 4-item symmetry score served for the diagnosis, evaluation, and follow-up of infants aged 3 to 6 months with infantile postural and movement asymmetries. The results of a pilot study showed the positive effect of a single manual medical treatment session along with a home program focusing on "tummy time."
Case study description and analysis of a complex craniovertebral dysplasia in an 8-year-old male patient, in which conventional cervical spine radiographs demonstrated a regularly differentiated occipital base, as well as the presence of two lateral masses of the proatlas vertebra and two lateral masses of the atlas vertebra. Further assessment included computed tomography of the occipital base and the upper cervical spine as well as three-dimensional reconstruction. Malsegmentation of the fourth occipital vertebra can result in various anomalies that are known as 'manifestation of the proatlas'. The occurrence of a persistent proatlas with additional segmentation of the craniovertebral junction represents an extremely rare dysplasia. To our knowledge, it is the second report concerning the persistence of a complete human proatlas vertebra. We consider the biomechanical and embryological particularities of this complex dysplasia to represent sufficient basis for future differentiation from other malformations of the fourth occipital vertebra. Comprehensive literature review and discussion about the entity will be provided.
Objective The aim of the study was the evaluation of the effects of a
single manual medicine treatment (SMMT) for infants with postural and motor
asymmetries in upper cervical asymmetry disorder respectively kinematic
imbalance due to suboccipital strain (KISS).
Methods Design: Multicentre double-blind randomised study
Subjects/Setting: 202 infants at the age of 14–24 weeks with
postural and movement findings were examined in four study centres using the
standardized 4-item Symmetry-Score (points: 4=symmetric to
17=asymmetric). The inclusion criterion was a score of at least 10
points. The intervention group (IG) received a SMMT, whereas the control group
(CG) did not receive any manual therapy. In addition, the infants of both groups
were trained with a home exercise programme by their parents.
Statistical Methods The primary target parameter was the result of the
Symmetry-Score, measured before the intervention and 4–6 weeks
afterwards.
Results 171 children were randomised
(IG=83/CG=88). All infants enrolled were measured to the
second time-point (Intention-to-treat-analysis). The average improvement of IG
compared to CG in Symmetry-Score was 2.3 points (p<.001). Following the
score definition 80% of IG and 49% of CG fell below the
treatment threshold of 10 points. No side effects were observed.
Conclusions The SMMT significantly improves postural and motor asymmetries
in infants with KISS.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.