Efficacy of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy and Bimanual Training in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy in an Educational Setting

Authors:
  • DBDikla Gol Burshtein
    Dikla Gol Burshtein
  • ALAnat Lahav
    Anat Lahav
  • ABAmichi Brezner
    Amichi Brezner
  • SASaleh Al-Oraibi
    Saleh Al-Oraibi
  • CFClaudio L. Ferre
    Claudio L. Ferre
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Abstract
We examined the efficacy of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy (HABIT) in a special education preschool/kindergarten in Israel. Twelve children (1.5-7 years) with congenital hemiplegic cerebral palsy were randomized to receive modified CIMT (n = 6) or HABIT (n = 6). Occupational and physical therapists administered usual and customary care for 8 weeks; children then crossed over to receive CIMT or HABIT 2 hr/day, 6 days/week for 8 weeks from their occupational therapist. The Assisting Hand Assessment and Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test were administered 2 months prior to the intervention, immediately before, immediately after intervention, and 6 months after the first baseline assessment. Both groups demonstrated no change during baseline and comparable improvement following CIMT and HABIT (p < .001), which was maintained at 6-month follow-up. Results suggest that modified CIMT and HABIT provided in school-based settings can lead to improvements in quality of bimanual skill and movement patterns.

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