Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Hôpital Universitaire
des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Free University of Brussels (ULB), Brussels,
Belgium | Laboratory of Movement Biomechanics, ISEPK, Free
University of Brussels (ULB), Brussels, Belgium | Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Université de
Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium
Note: [] Correspondence: Prof. Bernard Dan, Department of Neurology,
University Children's Hospital Queen Fabiola, 15 Avenue JJ Crocq, 1020
Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 4773174, fax: +32 2 4772176. E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Forty years ago, a consensual definition of the cerebral palsy
concept was suggested, delineating it as a disorder of movement and posture
secondary to non-progressive pathological processes that affect the immature
brain. Because this concept is pragmatic and based on function, it has survived
unaltered many changes in pathophysiolgical knowledge, diagnostic technology
and general nosology. However, its basis has appeared to be flawed. Its main
justification remains management, for which the need to meticulously select
patients, define adapted objectives, design appropriate management programs and
evaluate results has been increasingly recognized. Fine movement analysis using
recent technologies can provide a wealth of information about neurological
functioning in cerebral palsy that can serve these purposes. Specific patterns
of motor organization reveal different modes of motor control in individuals
with developmental motor problems. The different motor patterns reflect
individual adaptation to the impairment of the central nervous system. Taken
phenomenologically these patterns can contribute to the clinical approach to
cerebral palsy and redefine patients groups within this framework. (J Pediatr
Neurol 2004; 2(2): 57–64).
Keywords: cerebral palsy, history, motor control, movement analysis
