Primitive reflex profile. A pilot study.

Seven primitive reflexes used by physical and occupational therapists in evaluating children with cerebral palsy were each graded on a 0 to 4+ scale to constitute a Primitive Reflex Profile. The reflexes studied were the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex, the symmetrical tonic neck reflex, the tonic labyrinthine reflex, the positive support reflex, the derotational righting reflex, the Moro reflex, and the Galant reflex. The Primitive Reflex Profile was studied in 53 cerebral palsied patients to assess both the feasibility of its administration and its usefulness in discriminating functional levels of ambulation. The Primitive Reflex Profile was administered by at least two members of a team consisting of four pediatric developmentalists and two physical therapists. In using this instrument, the extreme functional groups were clearly defined and showed the expected overlap with the intermediate classification.