Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine - Volume 10, issue 1

Authors: Pidcock, Frank S.

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170413

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1-, 2017

Authors: Allison, Kristen M. | Reidy, Teressa Garcia | Boyle, Mary | Naber, Erin | Carney, Joan | Pidcock, Frank S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in speech skills of children who have hemiparesis and speech impairment after participation in a constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) program. While case studies have reported collateral speech gains following CIMT, the effect of CIMT on speech production has not previously been directly investigated to the knowledge of these investigators. METHODS: Eighteen children with hemiparesis and co-occurring speech impairment participated in a 21-day clinical CIMT program. The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-2 (GFTA-2) was used to assess children's articulation of speech sounds before and after the intervention. Changes …in percent of consonants correct (PCC) on the GFTA-2 were used as a measure of change in speech production. RESULTS: Children made significant gains in PCC following CIMT. Gains were similar in children with left and right-sided hemiparesis, and across age groups. CONCLUSION: This study reports significant collateral gains in speech production following CIMT and suggests benefits of CIMT may also spread to speech motor domains. Show more

Keywords: Constraint induced movement therapy, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, motor speech impairment

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170405

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 3-9, 2017

Authors: Brauers, L. | Geijen, M.M.E. | Speth, L.A.W.M. | Rameckers, E.A.A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Hybrid-Constrained Induced Movement Therapy (H-CIMT), defined as CIMT combined with Bimanual Intensive Movement Therapy (BIMT), on grip and pinch strength and fatigability we measured grip and pinch strength and fatigability during clinical H-CIMT. METHODS: The children participated in a H-CIMT model organized in a therapeutic summer-camp. Children received 90 hours of intensive treatment. Grip and pinch strength and fatigability was measured and fatigue was calculated according to a Static Fatigue Index (SFI). RESULTS: Pinch strength significantly increased, grip strength did not increase significantly. A non-significant decrease was …seen in SFI in pinch and grip. CONCLUSIONS: H-CIMT showed to be effective in increasing muscle pinch strength in the AH. Effectiveness in decreasing muscle fatigue during grip and pinch tests is not yet shown although there was a tendency towards a decrease in muscle fatigue. However, the long-term effects on these aspects are also important in future research. Show more

Keywords: H-CIMT, BIMT, strength, static fatigue index, cerebral palsy

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170406

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 11-17, 2017

Authors: Charles, Jeanne

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate mirror muscle activation in the upper limbs of children with unilateral cerebral palsy during an auditory-cued repetitive squeezing task and to compare upper limb muscle activation patterns to typically developing peers engaged in the same task. METHODS: A convenience sample of six children with unilateral cerebral palsy and six typically developing peers (7-17 y) participated in the study. Muscle activity was measured using a 16 channel Zerowire EMG system (Noraxon, USA Inc. Scottsdale, AZ) in the anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis, flexor carpi radialis, …and lateral triceps muscles bilaterally as children squeezed a pediatric bulb dynamometer to 3 pounds per square inch (PSI) for a one second duration, 10 times in one minute. Squeezing activity was cued by a computer generated auditory beep. Between hand differences in muscle onset times and onset amplitude for each muscle were determined using paired t-tests. Two group by two hand ANOVA measured between group differences. RESULTS: Results supported increased later muscle onset and lack of significant differences in onset amplitude bilaterally when the dominant hand was working in the CP population. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in motor control mechanisms of muscle activation between populations. Show more

Keywords: Unilateral cerebral palsy, bimanual coordination, motor control, EMG

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170407

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 19-26, 2017

Authors: Coker-Bolt, Patty | Downey, Ryan J. | Connolly, Jacqueline | Hoover, Reagin | Shelton, Daniel | Seo, Na Jin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility and use accelerometers before, during, and after a camp-based constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) program for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: A pre-test post-test design was used for 12 children with CP (mean = 4.9 yrs) who completed a 30-hour camp-based CIMT program. The accelerometer data were collected using ActiGraph GT9X Link. Children wore accelerometers on both wrists one day before and after the camp and on the affected limb during each camp day. Three developmental assessments were administered pre-post CIMT program. …RESULTS: Accelerometers were successfully worn before, during, and directly after the CIMT program to collect upper limb data. Affected upper limb accelerometer activity significantly increased during the CIMT camp compared to baseline (p< 0.05). Significant improvements were seen in all twelve children on all assessments of affected upper limb function (p< 0.05) measuring capacity and quality of affected upper limb functioning. CONCLUSION: Accelerometers can be worn during high intensity pediatric CIMT programs to collect data about affected upper limb function. Further study is required to determine the relationship between accelerometer data, measure of motor capacity, and real-world performance post-CIMT. Show more

Keywords: Accelerometer, real-world activity, upper limb, whole-body, cerebral palsy, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT)

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170408

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 27-36, 2017

Authors: DeLuca, Stephanie C. | Trucks, Mary Rebekah | Wallace, Dorian A. | Ramey, Sharon L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is now designated a highly efficacious treatment for children with cerebral palsy, based on rigorous clinical trials. Yet virtually no evidence confirms that these moderate to large size effects can be replicated in clinical practice for a more heterogeneous clinical population. Thus there is a need to collect and report treatment outcome data based on actual clinical practice as a critical next step for implementation. METHODS: This study presents results from a prospective study conducted on a clinical cohort of 88 children, 18 months to 12 years old (M = 55 …months, SD = 5 months), who received high-intensity CIMT known as ACQUIREc. The children varied in severity and etiology of their hemiparesis and a subset was diagnosed with asymmetric quadriparesis. RESULTS: Pre- to post-CIMT assessments confirmed highly significant and clinically meaningful changes based on both parental report (Pediatric Motor Activity Log, p< 0.0001) and standardized measures (The Assisting Hand Assessment, p= 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical practice of high-intensity CIMT (120 hours in 4 weeks) with full-time casting of the less-impaired upper extremity produced benefits of comparable magnitude to those from rigorous randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Therapists were highly trained and actively monitored. Children across a wide range of etiologies and severity levels realized positive outcomes. Show more

Keywords: Practice-based evidence, constraint-induced movement therapy, hemiparesis, quadriparesis, cerebral palsy

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170409

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 37-46, 2017

Authors: Hoare, Brian | Greaves, Susan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There is high-level evidence supporting constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual therapy for children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Evidence-based intervention includes time-limited, goal-directed, skills-based, intensive blocks of practice based on motor learning theory. AIM AND METHODS: Using supporting literature and clinical insight, we provide a theoretical rationale to highlight previously unreported differences between CIMT and bimanual therapy. DISCUSSION: The current emphasis on total dosage of practice for achieving positive outcomes fails to recognise the influence of other critical concepts within motor learning. Limitations exist in the application of motor learning principles using …CIMT due to its unimanual nature. CIMT is effective for development of unimanual actions brought about by implicit learning, however it is difficult to target explicit learning that is required for learning how to use two hands together. Using bimanual therapy, object properties can be adapted to trigger goal-related perceptual and cognitive processes required for children to learn to recognise when two hands are required for task completion. CONCLUSION: CIMT and bimanual should be viewed as complementary. CIMT could be used to target unimanual actions. Once these actions are established, bimanual therapy could be used for children to learn how to use these actions for bimanual skill development. Show more

Keywords: Cerebral palsy, constraint-induced movement therapy, bimanual therapy, motor learning theory

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170410

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 47-59, 2017

Authors: Reidy, Teressa Garcia | Carney, Joan | Whiston, Nicole | Naber, Erin

Article Type: Case Report

Abstract: Current evidence supports the efficacy of pediatric constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) for toddlers and children but little has been published about its use in early intervention with children eighteen months and younger. This paper and case report describes the clinical experience of developing and executing a modified pediatric CIMT intervention with infants under 18 months old. This is an emerging area of practice that is showing positive trends with initial cases.

Keywords: Hemiplegia, infant, constraint induced, early intervention

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170411

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 61-67, 2017

Article Type: Calendar

DOI: 10.3233/PRM-170412

Citation: Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 69-70, 2017