Autonomous nervous system regulation of pain in children with cerebral palsy.

: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have increased pain sensitivity and recurrent pain episodes; however, pain is underreported in children with intellectual impairment. Cardiac autonomic regulation is imbalanced in chronic pain conditions and neurological disorders. This study aims at exploring the autonomous nervous system regulation of pain in children with CP compared with typically developing peers (TDP).

Influence of chronic pain in physical activity of children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) perform less physical activity than their typically developing peers (TDP). Pain, important comorbidity in children with CP, restrains levels of physical activity.

Objective: This study aims at exploring the influence of chronic pain in physical activity of children with CP and TDP.

Repeatability of a computerized muscle tonometer and the effect of tissue thickness on the estimation of muscle tone.

The aim of the present study was to assess the intrarater repeatability of the computerized muscle tonometer (CMT), which is a computer-driven device designed to measure and register the tone of connective tissues. The second aim was to evaluate the effect of muscle thickness on results and repeatability as well as sensitivity, which was done by comparison to a mechanical hand-held tonometer (HHT). Participants were ten healthy male volunteers.