title: Studies comparing the efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy and bimanual training in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review studies comparing the efficacy of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual training (BIT) in improving the hemiplegic arm functioning and overall functional performance for children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic searches of electronic databases, reference lists and journals identified seven studies that met pre-determined inclusion criteria. These studies were analysed in terms of participants, treatment activities and regime, outcome measures and results of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both CIMT and BIT produced similar improvements in the bimanual and unimanual capacities of the affected arm and overall functional performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CIMT yields more improvements in the unimanual capacity of the impaired arm compared with BIT. A potential benefit of BIT is that participants may see more improvement in both bimanual performance and self-determined overall life goals. A combination of CIMT and BIT could be an option on improving arm function for children with unilateral CP in future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China.
authors.forename: Vicky An-Qin
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Ivy Hsi-Hsuan
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Hester Wai-Yi
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Kenneth Nai-Kuen
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology