Upper Extremity Sensation and Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Upper Extremity Sensation and Impact on Functional Use in Daily Activities in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Comparison With Typically Developing Peer

This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate upper extremity sensation in children with spastic cerebral palsy and to investigate its effect on upper extremity use in activities of daily living. Children aged 6-15 years with cerebral palsy (n=15) and typically developing peers (n=15) who volunteer to participate in the study will be included. Participants' sociodemographic data will be recorded, and upper extremity vibration sense, stereognosis, tactile sense, two-point discrimination, and joint position sense will be assessed. In the final stage, the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test will be administered, and parents will be asked to complete the Abilhand Kids Hand-Related Ability Scale.

Recent studies have shown that sensory impairments directly affect upper extremity use. Furthermore, it has been noted that sensory functions such as stereognosis and two-point discrimination are closely related to motor skills and affect hand use in activities of daily living, that impairments in proprioceptive feedback reduce upper extremity coordination and functional task performance, and that sensory impairments limit the use of the available hand in bimanual tasks. These studies emphasize that sensory inputs form the basis for motor outputs in daily living activities and that sensory training should be prioritized in rehabilitation processes. Although the presence of sensory impairments in children with CP has been reported in the literature, the relationship between these sensory impairments and upper extremity use in activities of daily living has been addressed in a limited number of studies. In particular, the effect of senses such as vibration and stereognosis on functional outputs has not yet been sufficiently researched. This study aims to systematically examine the effect of sensory impairments on functional hand use for the first time using multidimensional sensory assessment methods. In this respect, the study will provide important and original contributions to the literature.

Inclusion Criteria for Cerebral Palsy participants:

• Having a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
• Being between the ages of 6 and 15
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria for Cerebral Palsy participants:

• Presence of spasticity that limits active wrist movements
• Having undergone botulinum toxin or surgical procedures involving the upper extremities within the last 6 months Refusing to participate in the study

Inclusion Criteria for Typical Developing participants:

• Being between the ages of 6 and 15
• Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria for Typical Developing participants:

• Refusing to participate in the study
• Having a history of upper extremity injury or dysfunction or mental disability