Outcomes of a clinic-based pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy program.
A single-group pre- and post-test design was used to evaluate functional outcomes of a constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) protocol implemented in an outpatient therapy center. The participants were 29 children with hemiplegia, ages 1.6-19.1 years old. The less-involved upper limb was placed in a cast that was worn 24 hr a day, 7 days a week. Individual therapy sessions took place 5 days/week. Children received 3 or 6 hr therapy sessions for 16-19 days followed by 2-5 days in which bimanual tasks were performed. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and following CIMT. Statistically significant gains were made on the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function, Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (except the Protective Extension subtest), Assisting Hand Assessment, and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The effect sizes varied from 0.46 to 0.70 indicating a moderate effect size. The results support the effectiveness of CIMT provided through a center-based program.
Department of Rehabilitation, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA. reidy@kennedykrieger.org
Teressa Garcia
TG
Reidy
Erin
E
Naber
Emily
E
Viguers
Kristen
K
Allison
Kathleen
K
Brady
Joan
J
Carney
Cynthia
C
Salorio
Frank
F
Pidcock
D000293:Adolescent; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult