學院

醫學院

系所

職能治療學系

題名

Younger children with cerebral palsy respond better than older ones to therapist-based constraint-induced therapy at home on functional outcomes and motor control

作者

Chen, H-C.†, Kang, L-J.†, Chen, C-L.*, Lin, K-C., Chen, F-C., & Wu, K-P.

期刊名稱

Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics

發表日期

2016

著作性質

原著

語文

英文

關鍵字

Age; cerebral palsy; constraint-induced therapy; functional outcomes; motor control

摘要

AIMS:

To examine the differences in efficacy of home-based constraint-induced therapy (CIT) on functional outcomes and motor control in two age groups of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS:

Twenty-three children with spastic unilateral CP receiving 4-week home-based CIT by a therapist were divided into younger (6-8 years; n = 11) and older (9-12 years; n = 12) groups. The home-based CIT involved intensive functional training of the more affected upper-limb while restraining the less affected upper-limb. The outcome measures were Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2nd edition (PDMS-2) that was being used in a modified way, Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), and reach-to-grasp kinematic parameters, including reaction time (RT), normalized movement time (MT), normalized movement units (MUs), peak velocity (PV), and maximum grip aperture (MGA). The outcome measures were assessed at baseline, 4-weeks (post-treatment), 3- and 6-months (follow-up).

RESULTS:

The younger group showed greater changes in visual motor integration skills and RT at all post-tests after intervention than the older group. Groups had comparable changes on any other measures.

CONCLUSIONS:

Younger children with CP responded better to home-based CIT on some areas of upper-limb functions and reach-to-grasp motor control strategies than older children.