This study will compare the motor outcomes for five infants with asymmetrical hand function (AHF) who will receive two, three week episodes of standard care separated by a three week episode of mCIMT paired with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation. The results of this study will inform decisions on the feasibility and efficacy of the treatment for use in a larger study for infants with AHF at risk for unilateral cerebral palsy.
Infants with asymmetrical hand function will participate in three consecutive phases of treatment. The first and third phase will consist of three weeks of standard care for children with asymmetrical hand function, 1 hour/day, 1 day/week. The therapist will provide weekly coaching with the parents so they can carry over activities at home one hour/day, six days/week during this phase. In addition, a sock or mitten will be used for short term constraint during the hour of training both in the clinic with the therapist and at home with the parent. The second phase will consist of three weeks of modified constraint induced movement therapy, 2 hours/day, 3 days/week paired with NMES, 15 minutes/day, 3 days/week. The infants will wear a soft splint on their preferred hand and forearm 24 hours/day during this phase. Parents will be trained by the therapist to carry over activities with their child at home, 1 hour/day, 6 days/week. The children will return at chronological age of 18 months for follow up testing.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
5
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation will be applied by the therapist to infant's finger flexors and extensor for 15 min./day, 3x/week.
Modified CIMT will consist of constraint 24 hours/day using a splint in addition to therapy two hours/day, 3x/week for three weeks. Parents will be trained to carry over home program activities one hour/day, 6 days/week.
Infants will receive one hour of therapy, one time/week for three weeks. Parents will be trained to carry over home program activities one hour/day, 6 days/week. In addition the infant will wear a sock on their preferred hand during the hour of therapy/home program activity.
Children's Minnesota
Maple Grove, Minnesota, United States
Change in hand use based on the Hand Assessment of Infants
A criterion, norm referenced assessment that evaluates and measures goal directed both hand use and possible upper limb asymmetry in infants at risk of developing cerebral palsy,aged 3-12 months.
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, week 7, week 10
Change in motor skills based on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2
A criterion and norm referenced test that measures fine and gross motor skill
Time frame: Baseline, week 4, week 7, week 10, 18 months CCA
Assisting Hand Assessment Version 4.4
A criterion-referenced test that measures and describes how effectively children who have unilateral disability, aged 18 months to 12 years, use their affected hand in bimanual activity performance.
Time frame: 18 months CCA
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