Manuel Pacheco-Molero

Prof. Manuel Pacheco-Molero

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
23 October 2024 in International Journal of Early Childhood
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
CMCatalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Catalina Patricia Morales Murillo
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Family-centered services are the recommended early intervention approach to develop and deliver services for children with disabilities and their families. This systematic review aims to identify and highlight what barriers service providers in family-centered early intervention perceive that prevent them from providing high-quality services focused on the family and the child's overall well-being. We identified 37 articles that met the selection criteria of the first initial search of 1858 articles. These studies provided insights from both service providers and families. The identified barriers were categorized into eight dimensions: family, child, knowledge, and application of the approach/model, professional beliefs, natural environment, service coordination, working conditions, and current legislation. The main barriers identified were family barriers, insecurities perceived by professionals and difficulties in their ability to provide services, changes in their attitudes and behaviors when they perceive that they are losing their role as experts, lack of knowledge and application of specific practices, and lack of skills needed to engage primary caregivers in natural settings. These findings should inform policy implementation at local and state levels in countries where family-centered service is established in early childhood programs.

17 July 2025 in Children
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Álvaro Hidalgo-RoblesÁlvaro Hidalgo-Robles
Álvaro Hidalgo-Robles
JMJavier Merino-Andres
Javier Merino-Andres
MCMareme Rose Samb Cisse
Mareme Rose Samb Cisse
Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Background/Objectives: International guidelines recommend the combined use of the General Movement Assessment (GMA), Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to support early and accurate diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP). However, their implementation remains inconsistent. This study aimed to map their reported global use and identify associated enablers and barriers. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Scopus. Eligible studies were charted and thematically analyzed, focusing on tools use and implementation factors at individual, organizational, and system levels. Results: Fourteen articles (seven surveys, seven implementation studies) from seven countries met the inclusion criteria. While awareness of GMA, HINE, and MRI was generally high, routine clinical use was limited—particularly outside structured implementation initiatives. Major barriers emerged at the system level (e.g., limited training access, time constraints, lack of standardized referral pathways) and social level (e.g., unclear leadership and coordination). Conclusions: The limited integration of GMA, HINE, and MRI into routine practice reflects a persistent “know–do” gap in early CP detection. Since implementation is shaped by the dynamic interplay of capability, opportunity, and motivation, bridging this gap demands sustained and equitable action—by addressing system-wide barriers, supporting professional development, and embedding early detection within national care pathways.

9 July 2024 in Early Childhood Education Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
CMCatalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Catalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
RFRosa Fernández-Valero
Rosa Fernández-Valero
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
RMR. A. McWilliam
R. A. McWilliam

11 March 2025 in Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
CMCatalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Catalina Patricia Morales Murillo
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
RHRoberto Hernández-Soto
Roberto Hernández-Soto
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
The most used assessment tool to measure family-centered care and the perception of the care process is the Measure of Processes of Care questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the MPOC-SP, specifically by assessing the reliability of its item scores, testing whether its factor structure aligns with the original version, and examining differences in scores across professional profiles. The Spanish-adapted MPOC-SP questionnaire was completed by 278 early childhood service professionals across Spain. Analyses assessed internal consistency, construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis, and differences in scores across professional profiles. The Spanish MPOC-SP demonstrated strong psychometric properties, with Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.70 for total and dimensional scores. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the alignment of the data with the specified model. No significant differences in scores were found across professional profiles, indicating consistency in its application. The Spanish version of the MPOC-SP is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing family-centered care. It provides valuable insights for evaluating and improving family-centered practices in early childhood services, thereby contributing to the enhancement of care quality.

Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
CMCatalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Catalina Patricia Morales Murillo
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Given the scarcity of specific instruments to assess parental education in pediatric physiotherapy, this study developed the Parental Education in Physiotherapy Scale (Spanish acronym, EPF) and calculated its preliminary psychometric properties, acceptability, and feasibility. A cross-sectional instrumental study was conducted: the EPF was designed based on a specifications matrix and validated by expert judges in two phases. Then it was administered digitally to 63 physiotherapists experienced in treating children under six years of age. They rated it on a 4-point Likert response scale, and qualitative observations on its clarity, usefulness, and acceptability were collected. The validation showed adequate content validity (I-CVI ≥ 0.86; 31/32 items had I-CVI = 1.00) and high inter-judge agreement (global W = 0.659; p < 0.001). In the pilot study, exploratory factor analysis identified three factors (Collaboration, Capacity-Building, and Reflection) that explained 59% of the variance. After refining it, the final version comprised 18 items, showing high internal consistency (ordinal α = 0.944, ω = 0.934). Acceptability was high (100% found it useful; 98.4% said it facilitated reflection; 95.2% found it clear). Overall, the EPF provides preliminary evidence of validity, internal consistency, acceptability, and feasibility, although larger samples and additional analyses are required for its consolidation.

16 October 2026 in Physiotherapy Research International
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Manuel Pacheco-MoleroManuel Pacheco-Molero
Manuel Pacheco-Molero
MOMónica Gutiérrez Ortega
Mónica Gutiérrez Ortega
CMCatalina Patricia Morales Murillo
Catalina Patricia Morales Murillo
ILIrene León-Estrada
Irene León-Estrada
Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Parental Education in Physiotherapy (PEP) scale, designed to assess the extent to which pediatric physiotherapists implement family‐centered educational practices and caregiver education strategies for families of children under 6 years of age. Methods: This is an instrumental cross‐sectional study based on a digital survey targeting physiotherapists in Spain. A sequential cross‐validation procedure was applied by randomly dividing the total sample ( N = 310) to two equivalent subsamples ( n = 155/155). The final 8‐item set was selected in Subsample 1 based exclusively on the EFA results and theoretical considerations, before the CFA results were examined. The prespecified 8‐item, 3‐factor structure was subsequently evaluated through CFA in Subsample 2. The CFA was estimated using diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS). Convergent validity evidence was examined using average variance extracted (AVE), and discriminant validity evidence was examined using inter‐factor correlations, while associations with the use of technological devices for motor tracking were analyzed as an exploratory external comparison. Internal consistency was estimated using reliability coefficients appropriate for ordinal data. Results: A total of 310 physiotherapists participated (mean age = 36.4 years; 87.4% women). The final 8‐item, 3‐factor model (Collaboration, Capacity‐Building, and Reflection) showed excellent fit (CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.011, SRMR = 0.031), AVE values above 0.50 in all three factors (0.587–0.771), and latent factor correlations below 0.85 (0.40–0.64). Internal consistency was adequate for the three subscale scores. Reliability coefficients for the total composite score were also reported descriptively, although a global factor was not evaluated. Conclusion: The PEP is a brief measure with promising initial psychometric properties for describing and reflecting on family‐centered educational practices and caregiver education in pediatric physiotherapy. Its three‐dimensional structure and digital format may facilitate professional reflection, training, and quality‐ improvement initiatives within family‐centered care models.