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Physical activity guidelines targeting different populations with and without chronic diseases or disabilities are required to meet the diverse functional and physiological needs experienced by different subgroups of people to achieve optimal health benefits. As the importance of physical activity guidelines in promoting optimal health and well-being becomes increasingly recognised, there is a critical need for their systematic evaluation to ensure they remain effective, applicable and aligned with evolving health needs and scientific insights. This study aims to systematically review, critically evaluate, and compare global physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines on frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise for adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and people living with chronic conditions and/or disabilities. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols checklist. We will search the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, APA PsycInfo, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Education Resources Information Center, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and grey literature databases from 2010 to October 2024. Two reviewers will independently select guidelines, extract data and assess methodological quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II Instrument . Key recommendations will be summarised and classified as ‘strong’ and ‘conditional’ based on established criteria. A comprehensive evaluation of current guidelines will identify their differences and similarities and reveal their relevance in practical settings. The findings will guide healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers in implementing evidence-based recommendations for managing physical activity and sedentary behaviour in targeted populations. Additionally, we will highlight current knowledge gaps and potential shortcomings in existing guidelines. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023491339.

Background Caring for a child with long-term functional limitations can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Family-centered care (FCC) interventions have the potential to empower caregivers and contribute to their well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of FCC interventions in improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the key components of such interventions that are most commonly practiced and deemed effective. Methods This review systematically searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any FCC intervention on the well-being of caregivers of children with or at risk of CP. We used the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool to assess risk of bias and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for critical appraisal. Due to high heterogeneity of studies, narrative synthesis was used to summarize the data. Results The review consists of 11 studies which were categorized into five sections based on the components of FCC intervention provided in each individual study: 1. Information provision, and Enabling and partnership (n= 5); 2. Information provision, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1); 3. Enabling and partnership (n= 2); 4. Enabling and partnership, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 2); 5. Information provision, Enabling and partnership and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1). Risk of bias was low in four studies, unclear in two studies, and high in five studies. Conclusion FCC interventions were found to be effective in improving caregivers’ satisfaction with attainment of child and caregiver goals. Evidence from multiple studies does not strongly support the effectiveness of FCC interventions on caregiver’s mental health, parenting and personal outcomes. Limited evidence precludes a conclusion on the effectiveness of the components of FCC on well-being of caregivers of children with CP.

Background Caring for a child with long-term functional limitations can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Family-centered care (FCC) interventions have the potential to empower caregivers and contribute to their well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of FCC interventions in improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the key components of such interventions that are most commonly practiced and deemed effective. Methods This review systematically searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any FCC intervention on the well-being of caregivers of children with or at risk of CP. We used the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool to assess risk of bias and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for critical appraisal. Due to high heterogeneity of studies, narrative synthesis was used to summarize the data. Results The review consists of 11 studies which were categorized into five sections based on the components of FCC intervention provided in each individual study: 1. Information provision, and Enabling and partnership (n= 5); 2. Information provision, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1); 3. Enabling and partnership (n= 2); 4. Enabling and partnership, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 2); 5. Information provision, Enabling and partnership and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1). Risk of bias was low in four studies, unclear in two studies, and high in five studies. Conclusion FCC interventions were found to be effective in improving caregivers’ satisfaction with attainment of child and caregiver goals. Evidence from multiple studies does not strongly support the effectiveness of FCC interventions on caregiver’s mental health, parenting and personal outcomes. Limited evidence precludes a conclusion on the effectiveness of the components of FCC on well-being of caregivers of children with CP.

Background: Caring for a child with long-term functional limitations can have a negative impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the caregiver. Family-centered care (FCC) interventions have the potential to empower caregivers and contribute to their well-being. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of FCC interventions in improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and identify the key components of such interventions that are most commonly practiced and deemed effective. Methods: This review systematically searched seven databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of any FCC intervention on the well-being of caregivers of children with or at risk of CP. We used the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool to assess risk of bias and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for critical appraisal. Due to high heterogeneity of studies, narrative synthesis was used to summarize the data. Results: The review consists of 11 studies which were categorized into five sections based on the components of FCC intervention provided in each individual study: 1. Information provision, and Enabling and partnership (n= 5); 2. Information provision, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1); 3. Enabling and partnership (n= 2); 4. Enabling and partnership, and Respectful and supportive care (n= 2); 5. Information provision, Enabling and partnership and Respectful and supportive care (n= 1). Risk of bias was low in four studies, unclear in two studies, and high in five studies. Conclusion: FCC interventions were found to be effective in improving caregivers’ satisfaction with attainment of child and caregiver goals. Evidence from multiple studies does not strongly support the effectiveness of FCC interventions on caregiver’s mental health, parenting and personal outcomes. Limited evidence precludes a conclusion on the effectiveness of the components of FCC on well-being of caregivers of children with CP.

Background Only 5-20% of stroke survivors exhibit almost complete motor recovery at six months post-stroke. The Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable (SRRR) Taskforce has recommended the use of performance assays that predict recovery. However, not much is known about the differences across various stroke severity groups. The purpose of this study was to determine whether kinematic parameters of time, average velocity, shoulder angles and elbow angles were able to distinguish upper extremity movement capacity in individuals with varying levels of stroke severity and healthy controls. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which is part of a large cohort study. 27 sub-acute stroke survivors (58.8 ± 12.7 years; 18 males, 9 females; categorized into mild (51-66), moderate (25-50) and severe ( Results: Movement time was significantly different between severe and all other stroke groups (mild [p Conclusions: Kinematic analysis of a reach-to-grasp-to-mouth task helps to differentiate between varying groups of severity post-stroke such as mild, moderate and severe, based on Fugl Meyer for Upper Extremity scores.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of using short-term balance training with computer-based visual feedback (BTVF) and its effect on standing balance in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP). Methods: Out of the fourteen children with BSCP (mean age = 10.31 years), seven children received four sessions of BTVF (two such sessions/day, each session = 15 min) in comparison to the control group that received standard care. Feasibility was measured as percentages of recruitment, retention and safety and balance was measured using a posturography machine as sway velocity (m/s) and velocity moment (m/s2) during quiet standing.Results: No serious adverse events occurred in either group. There were no differences in the retention percentages and in any clinical outcome measure between both groups.Conclusion: Use of BTVF is feasible in children with BSCP but further investigation is required to estimate a dose–effect relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sitting balance is a prerequisite to upper extremity function, standing and walking, which is affected in various neurological diseases. It is important to attain a good level of sitting balance before one can proceed to standing. In recent years, virtual reality game training has gained a widespread application. Aim: This pilot study aimed to examine the role of additional virtual reality sitting balance training using a commercial interactive virtual reality system- Xbox Kinect™ in patients with neurological disorders. Materials and Methods: Four patients with sitting balance impairments following neurological disorders received two weeks of virtual reality based therapy along with the conventional physiotherapy. Sitting balance was evaluated using FIST (Function In Sitting Test) scores at baseline, one week and after two weeks of intervention. Results: All four patients showed clinically significant improvement in FIST score between the pre and post intervention. Percentage of improvement in FIST score was approximately 27% with a minimum change of 10 points in the FIST score Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID=6.5). Conclusion: Additional virtual reality training may improve sitting balance control in neurological patients with balance impairments. It can be used as an adjunct in routine neurorehabilitation.

Introduction: Healthy behaviour through education of individuals with arthritis is the mainstay of long term management. Time and access constraints restrict medical professionals from active involvement in arthritis education in the community. Reaching the community through the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) is the plan of action operational in India. Hence, the factors encountered by ASHAs while delivering arthritis education programs need to be studied. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of ASHAs while delivering arthritis education program. Materials and Methods: Qualitative exploratory design employing semi-structured interviews was adapted for the study. The interviews were conducted using focus groups of ASHAs from two geographically similar villages. Inductive analysis of focus group discussions was undertaken to determine themes, categories and codes. Results: Three broad themes were identified from the interviews which influenced the performance of ASHAs. Categories identified show the influence of training, characteristics of ASHAs, geographical features, family characteristics and community attitude. Few problems reported were means of transport, time constraints, multiple tasks, type of incentive and frequency of on-field demonstrations. Conclusion: Providing motivation for altruistic services has always been a challenge to governing bodies. The issues identified in this study can be addressed prior to integrating ASHAs for rehabilitation services.

Introduction: Facilitation of child development is usually emphasized in the form of early intervention classes and practical demonstrations. However, non-adherence to home program for such interventions has been reported due to various reasons. Aim: To develop and validate an educational leaflet as a supplement guide for caregivers to promote better development of their child during 4-6 months of age. Materials and Methods: An in-depth literature review and focus group discussion with the experts was conducted to formulate the content of leaflet. Initial framework consisted of introduction, main text with pictorial representation and instructions about facilitation of various milestones, do’s–don’ts and disclaimer. Validation was done through a questionnaire consisting of 9 questions pertaining to completeness, understandability, legibility, clarity and utility of educational material for caregivers and a section for comments. Leaflet with enclosed questionnaire was distributed to 14 validators (2 neonatologists, 4 paediatricians and 8 physiotherapists), along with a covering letter stating the purpose and relevance of this educational material, and the importance of their participation in validation process. Scoring was done on 5 point Likert scale for each item in the material. Results: Responses from the 14 evaluators were collected and analysed. Item level content validity index (I-CVI) was calculated for individual items which ranged from 0.73 – 1. Scale level Content Validity Index (S-CVI) was calculated for complete nine items and it was found to be 0.91. Validators expressed their views to include a column on normal milestones across 4-6 months of age and also to highlight the significance of performing each activity mentioned in the leaflet. These suggestions were incorporated in consensus with the subject experts and the final draft was made. Conclusion: Educational leaflet for caregivers of 4-6 months preterm infants has been developed and validated. It can be provided as a supplement guide to the caregivers to facilitate better development of their child.

Background and objectives: Neonatal neurobehavioral organization is a multidimensional holistic phenomenon which involves synchronous working of autonomic, sensory and motor systems to influence the developmental maturation of neonates. Homeostasis of all these systems is well developed in term infants but preterm infants due to their physiological instability, incomplete cortical development are at higher risk of impaired neurobehavioral organisation. Neurobehavioral maturity of term infants has been documented in many studies but there is dearth of literature in preterm infants especially moderate to late preterm (MLP) category (32 weeks – 36 weeks of gestation). Thus the present study was aimed to assess the neurobehavioral profile of MLP infants and to compare it with standard reference scores provided in the NAPI manual. Methods: A cross sectional study was planned in which sixty moderate to late preterm infants were included during their stay in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Neurobehavioral assessment of preterm infants (NAPI) scale was used to document the neurobehavioral profile of preterm infants. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the baseline maternal and infant’s characteristics. One sample t test was used for comparing the study sample and standard values provided in NAPI Manual for parametric analysis. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparing variables values between two groups which were not following normal distribution. Results: Scarf sign at 34 and 36 weeks of gestation, motor development and vigor and alertness and orientation components of NAPI showed statistically significant difference between our study sample and standard reference values taken from NAPI manual. However statistically insignificant difference was found in popliteal angle, irritability, cry quality and percent sleep ratings domains of NAPI. Conclusion: present study reported the neurobehavioral profile of our population. We found significant variability in scores for motor development and vigor, alertness and orientation and scarf sign domains for our study sample as compared to western standards provided in the NAPI manual.