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Remote assessment of infant motor development: concurrent validity of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale

Pediatric Research (2025)Cite this article

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.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Bland Altman analysis of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale total score.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

FAPESC (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Santa Catarina); PROAP-AUXEP (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) and PAEX-PROCEU/UDESC n° 01/2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisioterapia, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Mickaelly Aisha dos Santos, Sheila Cristina da Silva Pacheco, Amanda dos Santos Erhardt, Dayane Montemezzo, Rodrigo Okubo & Luciana Sayuri Sanada

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  1. Mickaelly Aisha dos Santos
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  2. Sheila Cristina da Silva Pacheco
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  3. Amanda dos Santos Erhardt
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  4. Dayane Montemezzo
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  6. Luciana Sayuri Sanada
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Contributions

M.A.S. was responsible for conception, design, acquisition, drafting the manuscript and for given final approval of the version of manuscript; S.C.S.P. was responsible for for acquisition, interpretation of data, drafting, critically revising manuscript and for given final approval of the version of manuscript; A.S.E. was responsible for acquisition and for given final approval of the version of manuscript; D.M. was responsible for interpretation of data, drafting, critically revising manuscript and for given final approval of the version of manuscript; R.O. was responsible for interpretation of data, drafting, critically revising manuscript and for given final approval of the version of manuscript; L.S.S. was responsible for conception and design, training the student on data acquisition, interpretation of all data, critically revising the manuscript and for given final approval of the version of manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luciana Sayuri Sanada.

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All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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All parents provided informed consent for their infant’s participation in the present study.

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Santos, M.A.d., Pacheco, S.C.d.S., Erhardt, A.d.S. et al. Remote assessment of infant motor development: concurrent validity of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Pediatr Res (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04587-9

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