Muscle Strength Impairment (Pediatric Inpatient)
Clinical Description
- Care of the hospitalized child experiencing muscle weakness that limits performance of daily activities or ability to maintain functional positions.
Key Information
- Strengthening programs should be individualized. Medical condition, age, developmental level, ability to follow directions, activity level and patient goals will influence the planning and implementation of a strengthening program.
- Muscle-strength testing and interventions may be contraindicated with conditions, such as joint instability or inflammation, unhealed fractures or postoperative restrictions.
Clinical Goals
By transition of care
A. The patient will achieve the following goals:
B. Patient, family or significant other will teach back or demonstrate education topics and points:
- Education: Overview
- Education: Self-Management
- Education: When to Seek Medical Attention
Muscle Strength Impairment
Signs/Symptoms/Presentation
- active movement limitation
- balance limitation
- gait impairment
- limitations in daily activity performance
- low muscle tone
- mobility impairment
- muscle atrophy
- unmet motor-related developmental milestones
Problem Intervention
Optimize Muscle Strength
- Assess muscle strength using a standardized procedure (e.g., manual muscle testing, dynamometry) or functional screen to determine individual limitations or risk for impairment.
- Consider any contraindications or precautions to individualize treatment plan, such as fracture, recent nerve or tendon repair and poor nutrition status; address contraindications and refer for further evaluation, if needed.
- Consider factors that will influence reliability, such as time of day and the child’s interest and enthusiasm for testing, as well as rapport with tester.
- Assess for changes or abnormalities in muscles or movement patterns, such as atrophy, abnormal reflexes, muscle tone impairment, substitution patterns or weakness in myotome patterns.
- Design and implement interventions to address strength impairments with type, time, frequency, intensity and resistance that are individualized to the child, such as play or therapeutic activity and exercise.
- Ensure proper body alignment and exercise technique. Modify as needed, such as seated exercise or reducing range of motion.
- Monitor and address signs and symptoms of intolerance, such as unexpected pain or shortness of breath.
- Utilize appropriate modalities, devices or techniques to facilitate muscle strength (e.g., biofeedback, electrical stimulation, virtual reality games).
- Encourage early mobilization and performance of play and self-care activities, as able, while providing level of assistance needed for safety.
- Recommend and train in use of adaptive or assistive devices or environmental modification to compensate for strength impairment, while facilitating independence and safety (e.g., adapted tricycle, bathroom grab bars, lightweight eating utensils).
- Provide and optimize nutrition therapy to prevent muscle wasting and enhance muscle strength; identify if at risk for malnutrition.
- Activity Assistance Provided
- Activity Management
- Adaptive Equipment Use
- Self-Care Promotion
Education
Overview
description
signs/symptoms
When to Seek Medical Attention
General Education
admission, transition of care
orientation to care setting, routine
advance care planning
diagnostic tests/procedures
diet modification
opioid medication management
oral health
medication management
pain assessment process
safe medication disposal
tobacco use, smoke exposure
treatment plan
Population-Specific Considerations
Special Needs
- Avoid eccentric muscle contraction in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; immobilization may be harmful as well.
- Incorporate challenge and fun into strengthening programs, whenever possible, to maintain interest and motivation.
References
- (2015). Alexander, M. A.; Matthews, D. J.; Murphy, K. P (Eds.), Pediatric rehabilitation: Principles and practices. New York: Demos Medical Publishing. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- (2021). Cifu, D. X (Eds.), Braddom's physical medicine & rehabilitation. Philadelphia: Elsevier. [Position Statements]
- Behringer, M.; vom Heede, A.; Yue, Z.; Mester, J. Effects of resistance training in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2010;126(5)[Metasynthesis,Meta-analysis,Systematic Review]
- Bosques, G.; Martin, R.; McGee, L.; Sadowsky, C. Does therapeutic electrical stimulation improve function in children with disabilities? A comprehensive literature review. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine. 2016;9(2), 83-99. doi:10.3233/PRM-160375 [Metasynthesis,Meta-analysis,Systematic Review]
- Case-Smith, J.; O'Brien, J. C. (2015). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents. St. Louis: Mosby, Elsevier. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- Haugen, N.; Galura, S. (2020). Ulrich and Canale's Nursing Care Planning Resource-E-Book: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health. St. Louis: Saunders, Elsevier. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- Hockenberry, M. J.; Wilson, D.; Rodgers, C. C. (2019). Wong's nursing care of infants and children. St. Louis: Mosby, Elsevier. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- James. M. Use of the Medical Research Council muscle strength grading system in the upper extremity. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2007;32(2), 154-156. doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2006.11.008 [Expert/Committee Opinion]
- Lopes, J. S. S.; Machado, A. F.; Micheletti, J. K.; de Almeida, A. C.; Cavina A. P.; Pastre, C. M. Effects of training with elastic resistance versus conventional resistance on muscular strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis. SAGE Open Medicine. 2019;7 doi:10.1177/2050312119831116 [Metasynthesis,Meta-analysis,Systematic Review]
- Ooi, P. H.; Thompason-Hodgetts, S.; Pritchard-Wiart, L.; Gilmour, S. M.; Mager, D. R. Pediatric sarcopenia: A paradigm in the overall definition of malnutrition in children?. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2019; doi:10.1002/jpen.1681 Source[Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- Ooi, P. H.; Thompason-Hodgetts, S.; Pritchard-Wiart, L.; Gilmour, S. M.; Mager, D. R. Pediatric sarcopenia: A paradigm in the overall definition of malnutrition in children?. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2019; doi:10.1002/jpen.1681 Source[Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- Palisano, R. J.; Orlin, M. N.; Schreiber, J. (2017). Campbell's physical therapy for children. St. Louis: Elsevier. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
- Umphred, D. A.; Lazaro, R. T.; Roller, M. L.; Burton, G. U. (2013). Umphred's neurological rehabilitation. St. Louis: Mosby, Elsevier. [Review Articles,Expert/Committee Opinion,Core Curriculum,Position Statements,Practice Bulletins]
Disclaimer
Clinical Practice Guidelines represent a consistent/standardized approach to the care of patients with specific diagnoses. Care should always be individualized by adding patient specific information to the Plan of Care.