Pediatr Res. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04587-9. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early detection of motor development delays is essential for timely intervention. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is a widely used for assessing gross motor development. However, this tool has not been validated for use in telehealth settings.
PURPOSE: To investigate the concurrent validity of the AIMS when applied via telehealth and video recording, compared to standard face-to-face assessment.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 infants (0-18 months). AIMS assessments were performed simultaneously using three modalities: (1) face-to-face, (2) telehealth via synchronous video calls, and (3) video recording using a fixed camera. Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman analyses assessed validity and agreement across methods.
RESULTS: All modalities indicated excellent correlations (r ≥ 0.84, p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman analysis showed low bias and acceptable agreement across all comparisons. No significant differences were found between methods in subscale scores, total scores, or percentile ranks.
CONCLUSION: The AIMS demonstrates strong concurrent validity and agreement when administered via telehealth and video recording. These alternative formats offer clinically reliable options for monitoring infant motor development, especially in contexts where in-person evaluations are impractical. The findings support broader integration of remote developmental surveillance into routine pediatric health systems.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Remote administration of the AIMS via telehealth and video recording demonstrates strong validity as a screening tool for early motor development. This modality enhances accessibility, particularly in geographically isolated or resource-limited settings. High inter-method agreement among face-to-face, telehealth, and video-recorded assessments confirms the reliability and consistency of AIMS across modalities. This supports its use in diverse clinical and research contexts without compromising measurement integrity. The multi-modal applicability of AIMS facilitates flexible and scalable service delivery models in pediatric rehabilitation. This adaptability promotes more efficient allocation of clinical resources and broadens the reach of developmental surveillance programs.
PMID:41318796 | DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-04587-9
