The effects of movement-oriented activities on joint motion and active motor function in children with profound multiple disabilities

Background The Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE)TM curriculum includes movement-oriented activities for children with profound multiple disabilities (PMD) and fits in the current educational view in supporting these children. The developers of MOVE claim effects at anatomical and physiological structures and functions as essential for effects at functional skills. This study analysed whether MOVE causes an increase in the passive range of joint motion and active motor function in children with PMD. Methods A repeated measurement design with baseline measurements was used. Children with PMD were tested twice before and twice after implementation of the MOVE curriculum. Results Results show that the passive range of motion changed during the intervention phase, however, these changes did not take the expected direction. The active motor function, on the other hand, did alter in the expected direction. Conclusions Movement-oriented activities do not seem to have a positive effect on the passive range of motion in children with PMD. Active motor function seem to change positively after implementation of movement-oriented activities. Further research has to establish whether this effect can subsequently increase the acquisition of motorand functional skills in children with PMD in order to enhance their independency.