Bimanual Training in Children With Hemiplegia

Teachers College, Columbia University22 enrolled

Overview

A randomized control trial of bimanual training in children with hemiplegia. The protocols have been developed at Columbia University to be child friendly and draws upon our experience since 1997 with constraint-induced movement therapy in children with cerebral palsy. The investigators will test the hypothesis that bimanual training (HABIT) will result in improved hand function in children with hemiplegia.

A new treatment involving bimanual (Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy (HABIT). The protocols have been developed at Columbia University to be child friendly and draws upon our experience since 1997 with constraint-induced movement therapy in children with cerebral palsy. The investigators developed HABIT in 2004 as an alternative to constraint-therapy that avoids use of a restraint. The interventions are performed in a 15 day day-camp setting with several children and at least one therapist per child. The investigators have conducted 24 day camps to date since 2002, and are now collaborating with clinicians worldwide to expand our treatment availability. The aim is to promote the use of and improve the coordination of movement of both hands together. PARTICIPATION IS FREE. Please check out our website for more information: http://www.tc.edu/centers/cit/

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Hemiplegia Cerebral Palsy Children

Interventions

HABITBEHAVIORAL

90 hours of bimanual training over 3 weeks in a day camp environment

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 MonthsMax age: 16 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: \*willingness to agree to intervention and testing procedures and travel to the University for participation and testing Exclusion Criteria: * health problems not associated with CP * uncontrollable seizures * visual problems that would interfere with carrying out the intervention or testing * botulinum toxin therapy in the upper extremity musculature during the last six months or who wish to receive it within the period of study

Locations (1)

Teachers College, Columbia University

New York, New York, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline in quality of bimanual hand use at 12 months

Changes in quality of how the two hands are used during manual activity as determined from video analysis.

Time frame: 12 months

Change from baseline in manual dexterity at 12 months

Change from baseline in timed performance of standardized manual activities

Time frame: 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

Change from baseline in upper extremity strength at 12 months

Time frame: 12 months

Change from baseline in range of upper extremity motion at 12 months

Time frame: 12 months

Change from baseline in goal achievement at 12 months

Change in caregiver ratings of activities identified as important goals by the caregiver

Time frame: 12 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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