Research Review on CIMT and Bimanual Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Research Review on CIMT and Bimanual Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy
Pediatric Physical Therapy published a systematic review comparing modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and intensive bimanual therapy in upper limb function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. After searching 4 electronic databases from 2009-2015, eight articles met the inclusion criteria with a total of 221 participants who received either intensive bimanual therapy or modified CIMT.
The results indicated the following:
- both intensive bimanual therapy and modified CIMT improved quality of unimanual movement, bimanual capacity, and movement efficiency.
- a weak, specific recommendation for intensive bimanual therapy in improving movement quality
- a specific but weak recommendation favoring intensive bimanual therapy to improve the child’s performance on parent-reported outcomes.
Reference: Klepper, S. E., Krasinski, D. C., Gilb, M. C., & Khalil, N. (2017). Comparing Unimanual and Bimanual Training in Upper Extremity Function in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 29(4), 288-306.
Read more about unilateral cerebral palsy:
Motor Learning in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Goal-Directed OT Programs for Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Tactile Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy
CIMT, Bimanual Therapy, and OT Home Programs
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