Article

There is evidence that modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT)
has a short-term positive effect on hand function in children with unilateral
cerebral palsy (CP), but the long-term effect is unknown. The aim of this study
was to investigate whether or not a single block of mCIMT (2h/d for 2mo) at age 2
to 3 years influences the course of development of bimanual hand function at
around 8 years of age. METHOD: A convenience sample of 45 children (24 males, 21
females) with unilateral CP and mean (SD) age at first assessment 32 months
(13mo) was included in this study. The participants were divided into the mCIMT
group (n=26) and the reference group (no mCIMT; n=19). Brain lesion
characteristics were available for 32 children. The children were measured
repeatedly with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) for a mean period of 4 years
and 6 months. Development curves were created and compared with a non-linear
mixed effects model. RESULTS: Children who were receiving mCIMT had an upper
limit of development of bimanual hand function that was 8.5 AHA units higher than
in the reference group (p=0.022). However, when controlling for brain lesion
characteristics and baseline in a subgroup of 32 children, the difference was
considerably smaller and no longer significant. CONCLUSION: mCIMT may have a
positive impact on long-term development of bimanual hand function, but the
results are inconclusive and further research is necessary.
CI - (c) 2014 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS