Pediatric Physiotherapy Research Topics Ideas for Your Thesis or Project
Choosing a research topic for a pediatric physiotherapy thesis or project can be difficult. Pediatric physiotherapy covers a very wide range of conditions, ages, interventions, and outcomes—from early intervention in premature infants to rehabilitation for cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, scoliosis, juvenile arthritis, autism, and other childhood conditions.
The pediatric physiotherapy research topics below are not just random ideas. They are based on gaps and uncertainties identified in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials. These gaps include questions about the best type of intervention, optimal exercise dose, long-term effectiveness, adherence, home-based rehabilitation, and which children are most likely to respond to treatment.
The exact research question can, of course, be adapted depending on the population, equipment, clinical setting, and time available for your thesis or project.
20 Pediatric Physiotherapy Research Topic Ideas
1. Comparing Different Types of Balance Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Research topic idea:
The Effectiveness of Task-Specific Balance Training Versus Strength and Balance Training on Postural Control and Gross Motor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Exercise appears to improve balance and gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis found that there are not enough studies examining individual exercise types to make definitive recommendations about which form of training is most effective.
This makes direct comparisons between balance interventions a useful area for future research.
Research basis: Xiao et al. found beneficial effects of exercise but specifically highlighted the lack of evidence comparing individual exercise types. [1]
2. Progressive Resistance Training in Non-Ambulatory Children With Cerebral Palsy
Research topic idea:
The Safety and Effectiveness of Progressive Resistance Exercise in Non-Ambulatory Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy
Progressive resistance exercise can increase muscle strength in young people with cerebral palsy, but most available research involves ambulatory participants.
A systematic review and meta-regression specifically identified a lack of evidence for progressive resistance exercise in non-ambulatory people with cerebral palsy.
Possible outcomes could include strength, transfers, wheelchair mobility, functional independence, fatigue, and participation.
Research basis: Bania et al. identified insufficient evidence in non-ambulatory people with cerebral palsy. [2]
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3. Home-Based Virtual Reality Rehabilitation for Cerebral Palsy
Research topic idea:
Home-Based Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Versus Conventional Home Exercise for Improving Motor Function and Participation in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Virtual reality may allow children to perform larger amounts of rehabilitation at home while making repetitive practice more engaging.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found promising improvements in hand function, gross motor function, and walking capacity with home-based virtual reality. However, the authors called for adequately powered, well-designed randomized controlled trials using reliable outcome measures.
Future studies could also examine adherence and whether children actually continue using these programs outside supervised therapy.
Research basis: Hao et al. systematic review and meta-analysis. [3]
4. Long-Term Physical Activity Participation in Children With Cerebral Palsy
Research topic idea:
Do Physiotherapy-Led Physical Activity Programs Produce Long-Term Improvements in Sports and Physical Activity Participation in Children With Cerebral Palsy?
Improving a child’s performance during a rehabilitation program does not necessarily mean that the child becomes more physically active afterwards.
A systematic review found that improvements in attendance and involvement in physical activity following interventions may only be short term. Longer follow-up and better measurement of participation are needed.
A thesis could therefore follow children for 6 or 12 months after an intervention rather than measuring outcomes immediately after treatment.
Research basis: Kilgour et al. concluded that sustained participation remains uncertain and longer follow-up is required. [4]
5. Task-Oriented Versus Integrated Training for Developmental Coordination Disorder
Research topic idea:
Task-Oriented Training Versus Integrated Motor Training for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder
Different motor interventions may affect different aspects of developmental coordination disorder (DCD).
A recent network meta-analysis found that task-oriented training ranked highly for overall motor function, while integrated training ranked highly for balance and manual dexterity. However, the evidence included limited direct head-to-head comparisons between interventions.
A direct randomized comparison could therefore provide clinically useful information.
Research basis: Dong et al. network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [5]
6. Optimal Duration of Exercise Intervention for Developmental Coordination Disorder
Research topic idea:
Does a 12-Week Motor Training Program Produce Better Outcomes Than an 8-Week Program in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder?
How long should children with DCD receive motor training?
The available evidence suggests that interventions lasting longer than eight weeks may produce larger effects, but this finding does not establish the optimal treatment duration.
A trial directly comparing different intervention durations could examine motor function, balance, participation, and whether improvements remain after treatment finishes.
Research basis: Dong et al. reported greater effects with interventions lasting longer than eight weeks but also highlighted substantial uncertainty and heterogeneity. [5]
7. Treadmill Versus Neuromuscular Exercise in Young Children With Down Syndrome
Research topic idea:
Treadmill Training Versus Neuromuscular Exercise for Improving Early Motor Development in Children With Down Syndrome
Therapeutic exercise can improve aspects of motor development in young children with Down syndrome, but the optimal exercise prescription remains uncertain.
A systematic review identified both aerobic and neuromuscular exercise approaches and highlighted heterogeneity and small sample sizes within the available evidence.
Future studies could compare treadmill training, neuromuscular exercise, or a combination of both on walking onset, gait speed, balance, and gross motor development.
Research basis: Rodríguez-Grande et al. systematic review and meta-analysis. [6]
8. Which Exercise Is Best for Balance in Children With Down Syndrome?
Research topic idea:
Comparative Effects of Different Exercise Programs on Postural Control in Children With Down Syndrome
Exercise appears to improve postural control in people with Down syndrome, but certainty in the evidence remains low.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis specifically recommended larger randomized trials comparing different types of exercise or exercise with other strategies.
Potential interventions could include balance training, strengthening, sensorimotor exercise, treadmill training, or interactive exercise programs.
Research basis: Zolghadr et al. recommended stronger trials comparing exercise approaches. [7]
9. Early Family-Centered Intervention for Very Preterm Infants
Research topic idea:
The Effect of Early Family-Centered Motor Intervention on Motor Development in Very Preterm Infants
For very preterm infants, the family is an important part of early rehabilitation.
Recent evidence suggests that early family-centered interventions may improve later motor, cognitive, and behavioral development. Future studies could examine when these interventions should begin and which components provide the greatest benefit.
For example, researchers could compare an intervention beginning during NICU admission with a similar intervention beginning after discharge.
Research basis: Raghupathy et al. systematic review and meta-analysis of family-centered care in very preterm infants. [8]
10. What Is the Optimal Dose of Parent-Administered Exercise for Preterm Infants?
Research topic idea:
Dose-Response Relationship Between Parent-Administered Motor Exercise and Development in Preterm Infants
More physiotherapy is not automatically better—but in premature infants, dose may be particularly important.
A randomized controlled trial found no overall difference between intervention and control groups at three months corrected age, but infants receiving a larger total intervention dose demonstrated better motor outcomes.
This creates an interesting question about the minimum effective dose of parent-delivered motor intervention.
Research basis: Øberg et al. randomized controlled trial investigating intervention dose in the NICU. [9]
11. Physiotherapy for Positional Plagiocephaly
Research topic idea:
Parent Positioning Education Versus Multimodal Physiotherapy for Infants With Positional Plagiocephaly
Physiotherapists may use parent education, positioning strategies, manual therapy, and motor stimulation when managing infants with nonsynostotic positional head deformities.
A systematic review found potentially positive effects on cranial asymmetry and motor development, but the available studies had small samples and substantial risk of bias.
A larger study could compare education and positioning alone with a multimodal physiotherapy program.
Research basis: Cabrera-Martos et al. systematic review of physical therapist interventions for positional head deformities. [10]
12. Which Infants Benefit Most From START-Play?
Research topic idea:
Does the Effectiveness of START-Play Differ According to the Severity of Motor Delay in Infants?
Not every child responds to an intervention in the same way.
A multicenter randomized clinical trial found that START-Play produced several positive cognitive, fine motor, reaching, and problem-solving effects in infants with significant motor delay, whereas benefits were less evident in infants with milder delays.
Further research could investigate how severity, age, diagnosis, or baseline motor ability influences response to this type of intervention.
Research basis: Harbourne et al. multisite randomized clinical trial. [11]
13. Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Versus General Exercise
Research topic idea:
Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Versus General Therapeutic Exercise for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises such as the Schroth approach are widely used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but uncertainty remains about how much better they are than general exercise.
A Cochrane review found very low-certainty evidence for several comparisons and considerable heterogeneity between studies.
Future research could directly compare standardized PSSE and general exercise programs using Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation, quality of life, self-image, and treatment adherence.
Research basis: Romano et al. Cochrane systematic review. [12]
14. Adding Scoliosis-Specific Exercise to Bracing
Research topic idea:
Long-Term Effects of Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercise Combined With Bracing Versus Bracing Alone in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Some evidence suggests that combining PSSE with bracing may improve Cobb angle compared with bracing alone, but confidence in this evidence remains limited.
A particularly useful future study would follow patients for longer periods and examine outcomes beyond immediate Cobb-angle changes.
Potential outcomes include curve progression, brace adherence, quality of life, progression beyond clinically important thresholds, and eventual requirement for surgery.
Research basis: The Cochrane review by Romano et al. described the available evidence as sparse and generally low or very low certainty. [12]
15. Long-Term Effects of Exercise Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Research topic idea:
Long-Term Effects of Physiotherapy-Led Exercise on Pain and Function in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Physiotherapy interventions including exercise, Pilates, and aquatic exercise may reduce lower-limb pain in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
However, much of the available evidence evaluates outcomes over relatively short periods.
A recent systematic review specifically called for research investigating whether the benefits of physical therapies continue beyond three months.
Research basis: Fellas et al. systematic review and meta-analysis. [13]
16. Improving Home Exercise Adherence in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Research topic idea:
Can a Behavioural and Digital Support Program Improve Exercise Adherence in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?
Having an effective exercise program is not enough if children do not perform it.
A review of exercise adherence in JIA found large variations in adherence and identified barriers including time pressure, symptoms, lack of enjoyment, and insufficient motivation. Motivation, symptom management, and social support were identified as facilitators.
A thesis could evaluate reminders, gamification, parent support, physiotherapist feedback, or symptom-adaptive exercise prescription.
Research basis: Hu et al. concluded that strategies specifically designed to improve exercise adherence in children and adolescents with JIA are needed. [14]
17. Risk-Stratified Physiotherapy for Pediatric Chronic Pain
Research topic idea:
Risk-Stratified Multimodal Physiotherapy Versus Standard Physiotherapy for Children With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Children with chronic pain can differ substantially in their psychological, social, and physical risk factors.
An exploratory study used the Pediatric Pain Screening Tool (PPST) to guide different levels of multimodal physiotherapy and reported promising improvements in pain and psychological outcomes.
The next important step would be a larger controlled trial comparing risk-stratified physiotherapy with usual physiotherapy.
Research basis: Ceniza-Bordallo et al. feasibility study of PPST-guided multimodal physiotherapy. [15]
18. Aquatic Versus Land-Based Exercise for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research topic idea:
Long-Term Effects of Aquatic Versus Land-Based Exercise on Motor Skills and Participation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
A randomized controlled trial published in 2026 compared aquatic and land-based exercise in young children with autism spectrum disorder and reported greater improvements in several motor and quality-of-life outcomes following aquatic training.
Further research could investigate whether these improvements persist after treatment finishes and whether aquatic programs improve real-world participation and physical activity.
Adherence, parental preference, accessibility, and cost could also be investigated.
Research basis: Albadry et al. randomized controlled trial. [16]
19. Exercise Prescription for Children With Muscular Dystrophy
Research topic idea:
Comparing Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Prescription in Children With Muscular Dystrophy
Exercise prescription in muscular dystrophy remains challenging because clinicians must balance the potential benefits of physical activity against concerns about excessive muscular loading.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found modest improvements in walking endurance but uncertainty regarding strength and insufficient information for several types of muscular dystrophy.
The authors specifically recommended investigating which types of muscular exercise produce the greatest benefits.
A pediatric study could focus on exercise type, intensity, fatigue, safety, functional mobility, and recovery.
Research basis: Gianola et al. systematic review and meta-analysis. [17]
20. Physiotherapy After Cardiac Surgery in Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Research topic idea:
What Is the Optimal Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Program for Children After Congenital Heart Surgery?
Children with congenital heart disease who undergo cardiac surgery may be at risk of delayed motor development, but there is relatively little evidence defining the best physiotherapy rehabilitation pathway.
A scoping review found major variation in the interventions and rehabilitation formats used and specifically called for research identifying the optimal format of physiotherapy provision.
Possible comparisons include inpatient rehabilitation versus inpatient plus home rehabilitation, supervised exercise versus parent-led exercise, or standard follow-up versus physiotherapist-supported telerehabilitation.
Research basis: Clarke et al. scoping review of physiotherapy-delivered rehabilitation following congenital heart surgery. [18]
Choosing the Right Pediatric Physiotherapy Research Topic
A good thesis topic does not necessarily need to investigate a completely new treatment. Some of the most clinically useful research questions come from areas where we already know an intervention probably works but do not yet know how to use it optimally.
For example:
- Which type of exercise is best?
- What is the optimal intensity or dose?
- Which children are most likely to respond?
- Are the improvements maintained after six or twelve months?
- Does a home-based program work as well as supervised treatment?
- How can adherence to physiotherapy be improved?
- Do improvements in impairments such as strength and balance translate into better activity and participation?
These questions can often be adapted into randomized controlled trials, observational studies, pilot studies, qualitative projects, or systematic reviews depending on the resources available to you.
Most importantly, choose a topic that is specific enough to answer. Instead of researching “the effect of physiotherapy on cerebral palsy,” a question such as “the effect of task-specific balance training compared with progressive resistance training on postural control in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy” gives you a clearly defined population, intervention, comparison, and outcome.
References
References
- Xiao, Liu, Tang, et al. Effects of exercise intervention on balance function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2024. doi:10.1186/s13102-024-00922-5.
- Bania, Taylor, Chiu, et al. What are the optimum training parameters of progressive resistance exercise for changes in muscle function, activity and participation in people with cerebral palsy? A systematic review and meta-regression. Physiotherapy. 2023. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2022.10.001.
- Hao, Huang, Remis, et al. The application of virtual reality to home-based rehabilitation for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2024. doi:10.1080/09593985.2023.2184220.
- Kilgour, Adair, Stott, et al. Do physical activity interventions influence subsequent attendance and involvement in physical activities for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2022. doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1909151.
- Dong, Xue, Chen, et al. The effects of exercise intervention on children with developmental coordination disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Physiology. 2026. doi:10.3389/fphys.2026.1877672.
- Rodríguez-Grande, Buitrago-López, Torres-Narváez, et al. Therapeutic exercise to improve motor function among children with Down Syndrome aged 0 to 3 years: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports. 2022. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-16332-x.
- Zolghadr, Yahyaei, Sedaghati, et al. The impact of exercise interventions on postural control in individuals with Down syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2025. doi:10.1186/s13102-025-01096-4.
- Raghupathy, Parsekar, Nayak, et al. Effect of Family-Centered Care Interventions on Motor and Neurobehavior Development of Very Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. 2025. doi:10.1080/01942638.2024.2449387.
- Øberg, Girolami, Campbell, et al. Effects of a Parent-Administered Exercise Program in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Dose Does Matter—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Physical Therapy. 2020. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa014.
- Cabrera-Martos, Ortigosa-Gómez, López-López, et al. Physical Therapist Interventions for Infants With Nonsynostotic Positional Head Deformities: A Systematic Review. Physical Therapy. 2021. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzab106.
- Harbourne, Dusing, Lobo, et al. START-Play Physical Therapy Intervention Impacts Motor and Cognitive Outcomes in Infants With Neuromotor Disorders: A Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial. Physical Therapy. 2021. doi:10.1093/ptj/pzaa232.
- Romano, Minozzi, Bettany-Saltikov, et al. Therapeutic exercises for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2024. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007837.pub3.
- Fellas, Hawke, Maarj, et al. Physical and Mechanical Therapies for Lower Limb Problems in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2025. doi:10.1002/jfa2.70096.
- Hu, Ren, Wang, et al. Adherence to exercise therapy among children and adolescents with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a scoping review. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2024. doi:10.1080/09638288.2023.2200261.
- Ceniza-Bordallo, Guerra-Armas, Flores-Cortes, et al. Multimodal Physiotherapist Intervention Program for Physical and Psychological Functioning in Children with Chronic Pain: Guiding Physiotherapy Intervention with the Pediatric Pain Screening Tool with Recommendations for Clinical Practice. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025. doi:10.3390/jcm14113629.
- Albadry, Ibrahim, Othman, et al. Effect of Aquatic Training Versus Land Exercises on Motor Function in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Physiotherapy Research International. 2026. doi:10.1002/pri.70220.
- Gianola, Castellini, Pecoraro, et al. Effect of Muscular Exercise on Patients With Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Literature. Frontiers in Neurology. 2020. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.00958.
- Clarke, Milburn, Menzies, et al. The provision and impact of rehabilitation provided by physiotherapists in children and young people with congenital heart disease following cardiac surgery: a scoping review. Physiotherapy. 2024. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2023.09.001.