Barriers and facilitators to implementing early intervention for children with non‐progressive motor disorders: A systematic review

Early intervention to help with movement and posture, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, play-based activities, or caregiver coaching, can support infants and young children with cerebral palsy or other non-progressive movement disorders. These interventions can help children develop movement skills and participate more fully in everyday life. However, many children do not receive timely or consistent support. We looked at 22 studies about early interventions for children aged 3 years or younger. We found that several factors make these interventions difficult to deliver. These included limited funding, shortages of trained staff, lack of equipment or suitable services, poor coordination between professionals, and interventions that were too complex or time-consuming for families. Parents could feel overwhelmed when they were expected to carry out therapy at home without enough guidance or support. The review also identified factors that helped early intervention work better. Interventions were easier to use when they could be adapted to family routines, delivered at home or close to home, supported by clear information and coaching, and shared across professional teams. Telehealth and video coaching could improve access for some families, although they depended on reliable technology and internet access.