The General Movements Motor Optimality Score in High-Risk Infants: A Systematic Scoping Review

The aim of this systematic scoping review was to explore the use of the motor optimality score in the fidgety movement period in clinical practice, and to investigate evidence for the motor optimality score in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes. Thirty-seven studies, with 3662 infants, were included. Studies were conceptualized and charted into 4 categories based on the motor optimality score: prediction, outcome measure, descriptive, or psychometric properties. The most represented populations were preterm or low-birth-weight infants (16 studies), infants with cerebral palsy or neurological concerns (5 studies), and healthy or term-born infants (4 studies). The motor optimality score has the potential to add value to existing tools used to predict risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research is needed regarding the reliability and validity of the motor optimality score to support increased use of this tool in clinical practice. What this adds to the evidence : The motor optimality score has potential to improve the prediction of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research on validity and reliability of the motor optimality score is needed; however, a revised version, the motor optimality score-R (with accompanying manual) will likely contribute to more consistency in the reporting of the motor optimality score in future.