Movement Recovery Seminar - Open to clinicians and researchers
Selective Motor Control of the Lower Extremities in Infants with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: Early Identification and Intervention
Barbara Sargent, Phd, PT, Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy, University of Southern California
Impaired selective motor control is a primary feature of spastic cerebral palsy that limits lifelong walking function. Selective leg joint control is the ability to move the leg joints in isolation and is mediated by the corticospinal tracts. Dr. Sargent will discuss the developmental trajectory of selective leg joint control in infants with spastic cerebral palsy to inform its use as an early biomarker of spastic cerebral palsy. In addition, she will discuss early activities that can be used to promote selective motor control during infancy, when selective leg joint control is emerging in typical development and when there is the greatest potential for neuroplastic change to maximize lifelong motor function.
About the Speaker
Barbara Sargent, PhD, PT is an associate professor of clinical physical therapy. She is director of the Development of Infant Motor Performance Laboratory (DIMPL). DIMPL is dedicated to the study of the development of human action during infancy and early childhood, and to the early identification and intervention of infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Sargent is also director of the University of Southern California / Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency. A board-certified clinical specialist in pediatric physical therapy, Dr. Sargent teaches pediatric content throughout the USC DPT curriculum.
