Children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have a preserved ability to imagine grasping with both hands, according to a new study. The findings suggest that tapping into that ability during rehabilitation therapy could help recover hand function and upper limb movements in children with CP. The research, “…
Treatment with baclofen via intrathecal — spinal canal — infusion is superior to placebo in the achievement of individual treatment goals in children, adolescents, and young adults with severe dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP), according to a three-month study. The study, “The effect of intrathecal baclofen…
Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) show less effective use of the affected upper limb from age 9 and up despite improvements in grip strength and hand function, according to a five-year study. The research, “Time Course of Upper Limb Function in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy:…
The largest worldwide population-based study — including all European and Australian regions — hopes to determine the frequency of specific congenital anomalies in cerebral palsy patients, as well as cerebral palsy risk for each anomaly. This may help in earlier detection and increased disease awareness, researchers say. The study, “…
Blocking the production of a protein called FoxO3 can boost brain repair after injury, a finding that could lead to new treatments for cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and dementia, a study suggests. The study, “A TLR/AKT/FoxO3 immune tolerance–like pathway disrupts the repair capacity of oligodendrocyte progenitors,” appeared…
Injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) cause more frequent systemic adverse events in children with severe cerebral palsy than in those who have milder disease. That finding may warrant consideration of treatment risks by clinicians and families, according to a recent study. The research, “Severity of cerebral…
Low family income and living in rural areas are associated with higher prevalence of cerebral palsy, a study from Taiwan shows. The research, “Association between socioeconomic status and cerebral palsy,” was published in the journal PLOS One. Disability associated with cerebral palsy (CP) imposes significant demands on…
Rhythmic auditory entrainment — a process that provides a timing cue for a biological rhythm — improves gait performance in patients with cerebral palsy (CP), research from Germany suggests. The study, ”Effect of rhythmic auditory cueing on gait in cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” was published…
Botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) does not appear to improve spasticity in cerebral palsy (CP) in children treated with intensive physiotherapy, a Dutch study shows. The research, “Value of botulinum toxin injections preceding a comprehensive rehabilitation period for children with spastic cerebral palsy: a cost-effectiveness study,”…
Intrathecal injection of baclofen (ITB) improves dystonia, muscle tone, pain, and other impairments in patients with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP), a new study from Sweden shows. The study, “Intrathecal baclofen in dyskinetic cerebral palsy: effects on function and activity,” was published in the journal Developmental Medicine &…