Volume 36, Issue 4

The Pediatric Physical Therapy Podcast, September, 2024

This special edition of the Pediatric Physical Therapy podcast is reviewed by Pediatric Pediatric Physical Therapy Journal Editor-in-Chief, Linda Fetters PhD PT FAPTA, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.

This podcast examines the 2024 Updated Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline on the Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis.

Podcast host Sarah Maxwell is joined by first author of the Updated Guideline, Dr. Barbara Sargent and clinician author, Dr. Jill Cannoy PT, DPT, PCS.

Podcast Speakers:

JILL CANNOY PT, DPT, PCS, Orthotics and Prosthetics Department, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.

BARBARA SARGENT PhD, PT, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy, University of Southern California

Journal Abstract:

Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2024 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy Barbara Sargent, PT, PhD, PCS; Colleen Coulter, PT, DPT, PhD, PCS; Jill Cannoy, PT, DPT, PCS; Sandra L. Kaplan, PT, DPT, PhD, FAPTA Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California (Dr Sargent), Los Angeles, California; Orthotics and Prosthetics Department (Drs Coulter and Cannoy), Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia; Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences, Rutgers (Dr Kaplan), The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey

Background: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a postural condition evident shortly after birth. The 2013 CMT Clinical Practice Guideline (2013 CMT CPG) set standards for the identification, referral, and physical therapy management of infants with CMT, and its implementation resulted in improved clinical outcomes. It was updated in 2018 to reflect current evidence and 7 resources were developed to support implementation.

Purpose: This 2024 CMT CPG is intended as a reference document to guide physical therapists, families, health care professionals, educators, and researchers to improve clinical outcomes and health services for children with CMT, as well as to inform the need for continued research.

Results/Conclusions: The 2024 CMT CPG addresses: education for prevention, screening, examination and evaluation including recommended outcome measures, consultation with and referral to other health care providers, classification and prognosis, first- choice and evidence-informed supplemental interventions, discontinuation from direct intervention, reassessment and discharge, implementation and compliance recommendations, and research recommendations.

(Pediatr Phys Ther 2024;00:1–45)Key words: clinical practice guideline, congenital muscular torticollis, infant, pediatrics, physical therapy