Developmental Neurorehabilitation reports on a study of 10 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.  The children wore mitt on the unaffected hand for 2 hours per day for 8 weeks and received targeted therapy during that time.   This modified schedule was acceptable to participants.  Improvements were noted in performance of daily activities.  This feasibility study was done to determine that further randomized trials are indicated for modified constraint induced therapy.    

Reference:  Margaret Wallen ;  Jenny Ziviani;  Rob Herbert;  Ruth Evans ; Iona Novak  (2008) Modified constraint-induced therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A feasibility study  Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Volume 11, Issue 2 2008 , pages 124 - 133

Check out Teaching Motor Skills to Children with Cerebral Palsy. 

Pediatric Physical Therapy  published a review of the literature on seating adaptations for children with cerebral palsy.  The literature revealed inconsistent results with saddle seats and the what the best seat to back angle is.  Significant improvements were seen with seat inserts, external supports and seating systems.  There was no significant evidence to support that changes in postural control improved functional abilities.   

Reference:  Chung, Julie BHK, MPT; Evans, Jessie BHK, MPT; Lee, Corinna MSc, MPT; Lee, Jessie BHSc (Hons), MPT; Rabbani, Yasha BSc, MPT; Roxborough, Lori MSc, BSR; Harris, Susan R. PT, PhD, FAPTA, FCAHS Effectiveness of Adaptive Seating on Sitting Posture and Postural Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy.   Pediatric Physical Therapy. 20(4):303-317, Winter 2008.

Pediatric Physical Therapy published a review of the literature on progressive strength training in children with cerebral palsy.  The research indicated that progressive strength training improved function and gait especially with isotonic exercises with no significant side effects.  Greater improvements were seen in younger children. 

Reference:  Mockford, Margaret MSc, MCSP; Caulton, Janette M. MSc, MCSP Systematic Review of Progressive Strength Training in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy Who Are Ambulatory.   Pediatric Physical Therapy. 20(4):318-333, Winter 2008.



Looking for muscle strengthening activities?  Check out Play Strong at www.YourTherapySource.com/playstrong

The current issue of Autism reports on a recent study indicating that 12 month old children who were later diagnosed with autism, displayed significantly more spinning, rotating, and unusual visual exploration of objects (i.e. looking out of the corner of the eye) than the control group without autism. 

Reference:  Ozonoff, Sally, Macari, Suzanne, Young, Gregory S., Goldring, Stacy, Thompson, Meagan, Rogers, Sally J.

Atypical object exploration at 12 months of age is associated with autism in a prospective sample

Autism 2008 12: 457-472

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery reports on research looking at 20 children with longitudinal radial deficiency.  The children exhibited reduced grip strength and active range of motion although children performed functional activities fairly well.  There was a large variation in poor strength and activity abilities but range of motion displayed a linear relationship with activity performance.

Reference:  Buffart, Laurien M., Roebroeck, Marij E., Janssen, Wim G.M., Hoekstra, Anneke, Selles, Ruud W., Hovius, Steven E.R., Stam, Henk J.  Hand Function and Activity Performance of Children with Longitudinal Radial Deficiency  J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008 90: 2408-2415