A Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Program in Rehabilitation of Arm Paresis in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Phase1 Effectiveness of a Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Program in Rehabilitation of Arm Paresis in Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Cross-Over Study

The purpose of this study is to determine if a modified protocol of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIT) is effective in rehabilitation treatment of arm paresis in children with cerebral palsy. In these children one main problem the non-use of the affected arm. Many studies showed that the non-use phenomenon can by reversed by the CIT, a rehabilitation program consisting of 15 days of restraining the unaffected arm plus a daily intensive (6 hours/day) physiotherapy training of the paretic arm. The present study aims at evaluating if a shortened CIT protocol (restraining device plus only 2 weekly hours of physiotherapy) is effective in improving use and function of children paretic arm

Inclusion Criteria:

• presence of mild-moderate arm paresis (after cerebral palsy) enabling to
• reach and grasp a pellet
• age between 1-10 years
• active participation during proposed activities
• parents consent for participation -

Exclusion Criteria:

• presence of severe behaviour disturbances
• presence of severe mental retardation (QI<60)