Efficacy of a child-friendly form of constraint-induced movement therapy in hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized control trial

Constraint-induced (CI) movement therapy is a promising therapy for improving upper limb function in adults after stroke. It involves restraint of the non-involved limb and extensive movement practice with the involved limb. In this study, a single-blinded, randomized, control study was performed to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental medicine and child neurology 2006-08, Vol.48 (8), p.635-642
Main Authors: Charles, Jeanne R, Wolf, Steven L, Schneider, Jennifer A, Gordon, Andrew M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Bulletin Boards
Caregivers
Case Studies
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy - complications
Cerebral Palsy - rehabilitation
Child
Child, Preschool
Control Groups
Criterion Referenced Tests
Dropouts
Exercise Therapy
Female
Hemiplegia - complications
Hemiplegia - rehabilitation
Humans
Intelligence Tests
Male
Measurement Techniques
Motor Skills
Movement
Occupational Therapy
Original Articles
Outcome Measures
Regression Analysis
Restraint, Physical
Single-Blind Method
Teaching Methods
Treatment Outcome
Upper Extremity
Visual Impairments
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Summary:Constraint-induced (CI) movement therapy is a promising therapy for improving upper limb function in adults after stroke. It involves restraint of the non-involved limb and extensive movement practice with the involved limb. In this study, a single-blinded, randomized, control study was performed to examine the efficacy of CI therapy, modified to be child friendly, in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Twenty-two children (8 females, 14 males; mean age 6y 8mo [SD 1y 4mo]; range 4–8y) were randomized to either an intervention group (n=11) or a delayed treatment control group (n=11). Children wore a sling on their non-involved upper limb for 6 hours per day for 10 out of 12 consecutive days and were engaged in play and functional activities. Children in the treatment group demonstrated improved movement efficiency and dexterity of the involved upper extremity, which were sustained through the 6-month evaluation period, as measured by the Jebsen–Taylor Test of Hand Function and fine motor-subtests of the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (p0.05 in all cases). Results suggest that for a carefully selected subgroup of children with hemiplegic CP, CI therapy modified to be child-friendly, appears to be efficacious in improving movement efficiency of the involved upper extremity.
ISSN:0012-1622
1469-8749
DOI:10.1017/S0012162206001356