Children With Cerebral Palsy Show Higher Static-But Not Higher Dynamic-Motor Fatigability in Grip and Pinch Tasks Than Children With Typical Development Do.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in static and dynamic motor fatigability during grip and pinch tasks between children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) and children with typical development (TD) and between preferred and nonpreferred hands.

Methods: Fifty-three children with USCP and 53 age-matched children with TD (mean = 11 years 1 month; SD = 3 years 8 months) participated in 30-second maximum exertion sustained and repeated grip and pinch tasks. For sustained tasks, the Static Fatigue Index and the ratio of mean force between the first and last thirds of the curve were calculated.

The Effect of Bimanual Intensive Functional Training on Somatosensory Hand Function in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: An Observational Study.

(1) Background: Next to motor impairments, children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) often experience sensory impairments. Intensive bimanual training is well known for improving motor abilities, though its effect on sensory impairments is less known. (2) Objective: To investigate whether bimanual intensive functional therapy without using enriched sensory materials improves somatosensory hand function.

Effectiveness of functional intensive therapy on mobility and self-care activities in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy - a prospective clinical study.

Purpose: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a major cause of childhood disability. Children with CP often lack motor skills to effectively perform activities of daily living. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of a functional intensive therapy program focused on improving individual goals in the domain of mobility and self-care in children and adolescents with CP.

Feasibility and effectiveness of home-based therapy programmes for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Objective: To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of home-based occupational therapy and physiotherapy programmes in children with cerebral palsy (CP), focusing on the upper extremity and reporting on child-related and/or parent-related outcomes.

Design: Systematic review.

Data Sources: Electronic searches were performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OTseeker and PEDro, and in ICTRP and CENTRAL trial registers, from inception to 6 June 2019.

Upper Extremity Muscle Strength in Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Bilateral Problem?

Objective: The objective was to investigate whether muscle strength in the nonaffected and affected upper extremities (UEs) in children (7-12 years) with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) differs from that in children with typical development (TD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Isometric arm strength (wrist flexion, wrist extension with flexed and extended fingers, elbow flexion/extension) was assessed in 72 children (mean age = 9.

Psychometric Evaluation of 2 New Upper Extremity Functional Strength Tests in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Background: For children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP), reduced muscle strength can lead to activity limitations. However, none of the existing measures of upper extremity strength measure strength in the context of functional activities in which strength must be maintained for several seconds.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of 2 newly developed functional hand and upper extremity muscle-strength tests (Cup-Task and Box-Task) in children aged 7 to 12 years with USCP.

Reliability of maximum isometric arm, grip and pinch strength measurements in children (7-12 years) with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy.

To investigate test-retest and inter-rater reliability of maximum isometric arm muscle strength measurements using the hand-held dynamometer (HDD) and maximum isometric grip and pinch strength measurements using the Biometrics E-Link Evaluation System in children aged 7-12 years with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy. All data were obtained using a test-retest study design. The study met the conditions of the COSMIN criteria to achieve good methodological quality.

Process evaluation of two home-based bimanual training programs in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (the COAD-study): protocol for a mixed methods study.

Background: As part of the COAD-study two home-based bimanual training programs for young children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (uCP) have been developed, both consisting of a preparation phase and a home-based training phase. Parents are coached to use either an explicit or implicit motor learning approach while teaching bimanual activities to their child. A process evaluation of these complex interventions is crucial in order to draw accurate conclusions and provide recommendations for implementation in clinical practice and further research.

Home-based bimanual training based on motor learning principles in children with unilateral cerebral palsy and their parents (the COAD-study): rationale and protocols.

Background: Home-based training is considered an important intervention in rehabilitation of children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Despite consensus on the value of home-based upper limb training, no evidence-based best practice exists. Promoting compliance of children to adhere to an intensive program while keeping parental stress levels low is an important challenge when designing home-based training programs.

Functional electrical stimulation of the ankle dorsiflexors during walking in spastic cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Aim: To assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of ankle dorsiflexors in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) during walking.

Method: A systematic review was performed using the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases were searched for studies applying interventions to patients aged younger than 20 years.

Cross-cultural Translation and Adaptation of the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire (LAQ-CP) Into Dutch: A Brief Report.

Purpose: To produce a Dutch translation of the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire for children with cerebral palsy (LAQ-CP), adapted for cross-cultural differences.

Methods: The translation process consisted of 6 stages, following a guideline for cross-cultural adaptations including duplicate forward- and back-translations, expert group review, pilot-testing, and a process audit.

Results: Several adaptations to the questionnaire were required due to cross-cultural differences.

Effects of botulinum toxin A and/or bimanual task-oriented therapy on upper extremity activities in unilateral Cerebral Palsy: a clinical trial.

Background: This study reports on the effects of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections in the upper extremity (UE) in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (uCP) combined with bimanual task-oriented therapy (BITT) or either treatment modality performed separately. Bimanual activities were measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), the ABILHand-Kids questionnaire (AK), the Observational Skills Assessment Score (OSAS). Goal achievement was measured with Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), using blind video assessment, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).

Recognizing complex upper extremity activities using body worn sensors.

To evaluate arm-hand therapies for neurological patients it is important to be able to assess actual arm-hand performance objectively. Because instruments that measure the actual quality and quantity of specific activities in daily life are lacking, a new measure needs to be developed. The aims of this study are to a) elucidate the techniques used to identify upper extremity activities, b) provide a proof-of-principle of this method using a set of activities tested in a healthy adult and in a stroke patient, and c) provide an example of the method's applicability in daily life based on readings taken from a healthy adult.

To What Extent Can Arm-Hand Skill Performance--of Both Healthy Adults and Children-Be Recorded Reliably Using Multiple Bodily Worn Sensor Devices?

Neurological patients often encounter arm-hand problems in daily life. Bodily worn sensors may be used to assess actual performance by quantifying specific movement patterns associated with specific activities. However, signal reliability during activities of daily living should be determined first.

Effects of botulinum toxin A and/or bimanual task-oriented therapy on upper extremity impairments in unilateral Cerebral Palsy: an explorative study.

Objective: This study reports on the effects of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injections in the upper extremity (UE) of children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (uCP) combined with bimanual task oriented therapy (BITT) or either treatment modality performed separately on UE range of motion (ROM), spasticity and (functional) strength.

Methods: Thirty-five children, mean age 7.14 years (SD 2.

Accelerometry measuring the outcome of robot-supported upper limb training in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study aims to assess the extent to which accelerometers can be used to determine the effect of robot-supported task-oriented arm-hand training, relative to task-oriented arm-hand training alone, on the actual amount of arm-hand use of chronic stroke patients in their home situation.

Methods: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included 16 chronic stroke patients, randomly allocated using blocked randomization (n = 2) to receive task-oriented robot-supported arm-hand training or task-oriented (unsupported) arm-hand training. Training lasted 8 weeks, 4 times/week, 2 × 30 min/day using the (T-)TOAT ((Technology-supported)-Task-Oriented-Arm-Training) method.

Arm hand skilled performance in cerebral palsy: activity preferences and their movement components.

Background: Assessment of arm-hand use is very important in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who encounter arm-hand problems. To determine validity and reliability of new instruments to assess actual performance, a set of standardized test situations including activities of daily living (ADL) is required. This study gives information with which such a set for upper extremity skill research may be fine-tuned, relative to a specific research question.

Upper extremity strength measurement for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review of available instruments.

Background: In order to make inferences about strength related to development or treatment interventions, it is important to use measurement instruments that have sound clinimetric properties.

Purpose: The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate the level of evidence of the clinimetric properties of instruments for measuring upper extremity muscle strength at the "body functions & structures" level of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Data Sources: A systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, OTseeker, CINAHL, PEDro, and MEDLINE databases up to November 2012 was performed.

Observational skills assessment score: reliability in measuring amount and quality of use of the affected hand in unilateral cerebral palsy.

Background: The Observational Skills Assessment Score (OSAS) measures amount and quality of use of the affected hand in children with unilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) in bimanual activities and could therefore be a valuable addition to existing assessment tools. The OSAS consists of tasks that are age appropriate and require use of the affected hand.

Methods: To measure the agreement and reliability of the OSAS a convenience sample of two groups of 16 children with unilateral spastic CP (2.

Valid and reliable instruments for arm-hand assessment at ICF activity level in persons with hemiplegia: a systematic review.

Background: Loss of arm-hand performance due to a hemiparesis as a result of stroke or cerebral palsy (CP), leads to large problems in daily life of these patients. Assessment of arm-hand performance is important in both clinical practice and research. To gain more insight in e.

Effectiveness of functional progressive resistance exercise training on walking ability in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of functional progressive resistance exercise (PRE) training on walking ability in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Fifty-one ambulant children with spastic CP (mean age 10 years 5 months, 29 boys) were randomized to an intervention (n=26) or control group (n=25, receiving usual care). The intervention consisted of 12 weeks functional PRE circuit training, for 3 times a week.

Clinical observational gait analysis to evaluate improvement of balance during gait with vibrotactile biofeedback.

Background And Purpose: This study explores the effect of vibrotactile biofeedback on gait in 20 patients with bilateral vestibular areflexia using observational gait analysis to score individual balance.

Methods: A tilt sensor mounted on the head or trunk is used to detect head or body tilt and activates, via a microprocessor, 12 equally distributed vibrators placed around the waist. Two positions of the tilt sensor were evaluated besides no biofeedback in three different gait velocity tasks (slow/fast tandem gait, normal gait on foam) resulting in nine different randomized conditions.

Outcome of motor training programmes on arm and hand functioning in patients with cervical spinal cord injury according to different levels of the ICF: a systematic review.

Objective: To investigate the outcome of motor training programmes on arm and hand functioning in patients with cervical spinal cord injury according to different levels of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: A search of the following databases: Medline, Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) from 1976 to August 2008 was performed using the following MeSH terms: Spinal Cord Injuries, Quadriplegia, Rehabilitation, Physical Education and Training, Exercise, Patient-Centered Care, Upper Extremity, Activities of Daily Living, Motor Skills, Motor Activity, Intervention Studies, Clinical Trial.

Rehabilitation outcome of upper extremity skilled performance in persons with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Objective: To investigate changes in arm hand skilled performance during and after active rehabilitation in (sub)groups of subjects with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Design: Longitudinal multi-centre cohort study.

Patients: Persons with cervical spinal cord injuries during (n?=?57) and after (n?=?35) rehabilitation.

Visual Analogue Scale to score the effects of Botulinum Toxin A treatment in children with cerebral palsy in daily clinical practice.

Objective: This study examined the reliability and efficiacy of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in evaluating spasticity treatment in an outpatient setting.

Patients And Methods: We used a parent-reported VAS device for evaluating the effects of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A). Data were collected on 55 children with cerebral palsy.