Deficits in upper-limb task performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy as defined by 3-dimensional kinematics.
OBJECTIVE
To define upper-limb movement deficits in children with hemiplegia using 3-dimensional (3-D) kinematic analysis of functional tasks.


METHODS
Cohort study.


METHODS
University gait laboratory.


METHODS
Ten children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (mean age, 13.3y; range, 10-17y) and 10 control children (mean age, 9.8y; range, 6-12y).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
3-D upper-limb movement analysis.


RESULTS
3-D kinematics detected clinically significant between-group differences. Children with hemiplegia were significantly slower than control children in time taken to complete tasks (P<.05) and achieved slower movement velocities (P<.05). Group differences in range of motion (ROM) occurred in all 3 tasks examined (hand to mouth, hand to head, reach). Children with hemiplegia had significantly less supination (P<.03) and shoulder flexion (P<.03) and increased compensatory trunk flexion (P<.01) compared with control data (hand-to-mouth task). The reach task highlighted restriction of elbow extension in children with hemiplegia (minimum elbow extension: hemiplegia, 24+/-18 degrees ; control, 3+/-7 degrees ). Completing tasks bilaterally did not alter performance of the tasks in children with hemiplegia.


CONCLUSIONS
3-D kinematics detected deficits in timing, ROM, and proximal compensatory strategies during upper-limb functional task performance in children with hemiplegia.
Mackey
Anna H
AH
Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, New Zealand. a.mackey@auckland.ac.nz
Walt
Sharon E
SE
Stott
N Susan
NS
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*