The Annals of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation published a systemic review on ankle foot orthotics AFOs, walking and cerebral palsy. The purpose of the study was to complete a systematic review of the literature to determine if AFOs produce a more normal gait pattern by positioning joints in the proper position to reduce pathological reflex […]
Children with cerebral palsy may present with feeding difficulties which have an effect on growth, nutrition, general health and social interaction. These feeding difficulties in children with cerebral palsy include issues such as choking, feeding time greater than 3 hours per day, frequent vomiting and and difficulties with chewing. One protocol that has been created to help with […]
The Trunk Control Measurement Scale is a clinical tool to measure trunk control in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology recently published research examining the reliability of the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) with its subscores, in children with neuromotor disorders. In addition, the discriminative validity of the TCMS was assessed by comparing […]
CIMT, Bimanual Therapy and OT Home Programs: The British Journal of Occupational Therapy published a research review to determine how bimanual therapy and modified constraint induced movement therapy or constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) methods are used for occupational therapy home programs. A literature search was completed and 5 studies met the inclusion criteria. The research […]
The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published research examining the effects of stabilization exercises on balance in children with cerebral palsy. The participants included 11 school aged children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (GMFCS Levels I-III). Each child engaged in stabilization exercises of neck and trunk twice per week for eight weeks with each treatment lasting […]
Recent research examined changes in speech skills of children who have hemiparesis and speech impairment after participation in a constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) program. The participants in the study included 18 children with hemiparesis and co-occurring speech impairment who participated in a 21-day clinical CIMT program. The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation-2 (GFTA-2) was used to evaluate […]
The Journal of Physiotherapy completed a research review examining whether constraint-induced movement therapy improves upper limb activity and participation in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Only randomized trials (31 papers out of 597 screened abstracts) were included in the review. The randomized trials included children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy with any level of motor […]
Side stepping ball drop is a fun activity to set up that encourages standing, side stepping, reaching, crossing midline, trunk rotation and wrist extension. You will need recycled cardboard tubes, tape, balls (that fit inside the tubes) and a bench. This idea is from Therapeutic Play Activities for Children. For set up, tape the recycled cardboard tubes along the wall near the back […]
Shaving Cream Tracks is a fun activity to set up that encourages fine motor skills, tactile input and crossing midline. You will need plates, toy cars and shaving cream for this activity. This idea is from Therapeutic Play Activities for Children. Place the plates in front of the child or one large tray. Squirt shaving […]
This hand out includes 10 tips for helping children with cerebral palsy during playtime (download below). This printable tip sheet is from Therapeutic Play Activities for Children. All children learn through play and exploration. Playtime helps children to develop fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, emotional and communication skills. Children with cerebral palsy also enjoy and learn through […]