Feasibility of High Repetition Upper Extremity Rehabilitation for Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.

Aims: In pediatric upper extremity rehabilitation, feasible repetition rates are unknown. Our objectives were to examine repetition rates during rehabilitation and their impact on outcomes.

Methods: Children with unilateral cerebral palsy due to perinatal stroke ( = 55, median 10 y 7 mo, 30 males) received Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) followed by Bimanual Therapy, each for 5 days.

Force Resistance Training in Hand Grasp and Arm Therapy: Feasibility of a Low-Cost Videogame Controller.

Objective: To design and evaluate a low-cost gaming station that supports force resistance training in pediatric arm/hand grasp therapies through mainstream videogame play.

Methods: The gaming station was developed through an iterative participatory design process and includes a force feedback game controller (Novint Falcon), custom grips, arm/wrist supports, and software to interface with mainstream games and manage difficulty settings in the controller. The station was tested for usability and feasibility with six therapists and six children with cerebral palsy, 7-16 years of age, attending weekly therapy sessions over 12 weeks.

Chronic Pain Assessment Tools for Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.

Background And Objective: Chronic pain in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is underrecognized, leading to detriments in their physical, social, and mental well-being. Our objective was to identify, describe, and critique pediatric chronic pain assessment tools and make recommendations for clinical use for children with CP. Secondly, develop an evidence-informed toolbox to support clinicians in the assessment of chronic pain in children with disabilities.

Wearable wrist activity monitor as an indicator of functional hand use in children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: New tools that capture hand function in everyday activities and contexts are needed for assessing children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. This study evaluates a wearable wrist monitor and tests the hypothesis that wrist extension frequency (FreqE) is an appropriate indicator of functional hand use.

Method: Fifteen children (four females, 11 males; age range 6-12y; mean age 10y [SD 2y]) with hemiplegia (seven at level I and eight at level II on the Manual Ability Classification System) participated in the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) while wearing the wrist monitor.

Evaluation of an occupational therapy mentorship program: effects on therapists' skills and family-centered behavior.

There is growing interest in understanding the usefulness of mentorship programs for children's rehabilitation service providers. This evaluation study examined the effects of an occupational therapy mentorship program on the skills and behaviors of 8 new and 17 experienced occupational therapists practicing at a regional children's rehabilitation center. Self- and peer-report measures of family-centered behavior, critical thinking ability, listening/interactive communication skill, and clinical behavior were collected before and after an 11-month facilitated, collaborative group mentorship intervention.