Doctors usually diagnose cerebral palsy (CP) in children at 12 to 24 months of age, but a new study says they can be diagnosed as early as five months after birth using a valuable combination of standardized tools that include neuroimaging as well as neurological and motor assessments. The study, “…
The number of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in England and Wales is estimated to increase 7.5 percent by 2020, a new study shows. Researchers say these predictions may have a significant impact on health and social services planning. The study, “Predicting the prevalence of cerebral palsy by severity…
Climbing exercises help children with cerebral palsy function better, according to a study in Denmark. Researchers said climbing strengthens the link between the brain and muscles, increasing children’s ability to perform day-to-day activities. The children used an indoor climbing gym that included boulder climbing and wall climbing courses. The study,…
Having a dog at home may encourage children with cerebral palsy (CP) or other disabilities engage in more daytime physical activity, a report finds. Researchers at Oregon State University reported the case of a 10-year-old boy with CP who became more active and improved his motor skills and quality of life…
Having a clown around can help take some of the sting out of the injections that children with cerebral palsy (CP) receive, a study indicates. The research, “Clown-Care Reduces Pain In Children With Cerebral Palsy Undergoing Recurrent Botulinum Toxin Injections: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Crossover Study,” was published in the…
Researchers at the University of California San Diego and Rady Children’s Hospital have developed a glove that uses robotic technology to accurately measure muscle stiffness during physical exams. This device may help improve the diagnosis and treatment of people with muscle stiffness caused by cerebral palsy (CP) and other…
The more severe a cerebral palsy (CP) toddler’s motor impairment is, the worse that child’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be, according to a recent Taiwanese study. Motor impairment hurts children with CP by limiting their daily activities and participation in games and sports. This, in turn, affects their life satisfaction…
Children born prematurely today are more likely to survive and have no neurodevelopmental impairment than in the past, according to a study. Researchers said this suggests that fewer pre-term children need treatment at an early age. Children who survive a premature birth are at risk of developing cerebral palsy, blindness,…
Assisted aquatic movement therapy may improve the mental health and stimulate the brains of children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a new study. The study, “Effects Of Assisted Aquatic Movement And Horseback Riding Therapies On Emotion And Brain Activation In Patients With Cerebral Palsy,” was published…
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) may improve their touch and hand sensitivity by playing “serious video games,” according to a small study. More studies are necessary, however, to confirm this finding. The study is part of a PhD project conducted by David Hobbs from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. Most treatments…