A robotic exoskeleton that provides resistance while walking could be used to strengthen leg muscles, allowing for greater ease of walking in people with cerebral palsy (CP), a small study suggests. The study, “Adaptive Ankle Resistance from a Wearable Robotic Device to Improve Muscle Recruitment in Cerebral…
Playing virtual reality games as part of a physical and occupational therapy program can increase motor performance among children with cerebral palsy (CP), a new study suggests. The study, titled “Effect of virtual reality therapy on functional development in children with cerebral palsy: A single-blind, prospective,…
Use of magnesium sulphate during pregnancy to treat certain conditions in mothers or lower the risk of a baby being born with cerebral palsy is not associated with a higher probability of harm in newborns, a study suggests. The study, “Antenatal magnesium sulphate and adverse neonatal…
After an intensive treatment period, changes in motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy, as observed in a standardized environment, do not correlate well with actual motor performance in daily life, a new study suggests. The study, titled “Relationship between changes in motor capacity and objectively measured…
Women with cerebral palsy (CP) are more likely to experience pregnancy complications, including preterm birth and the need for cesarean section, a new study suggests. The study, “Pregnancy outcome in women with cerebral palsy: A nationwide population‐based cohort study,” was published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
Participating in adapted hip-hop dancing can improve the quality of life and social engagement in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), a small study suggests. Titled “Influence of adapted hip-hop dancing on quality of life and social participation among children/adolescents with cerebral palsy,” the study was…
Differing degrees of physical impairment translate into different levels of game performance for athletes with cerebral palsy (CP) who play soccer, a new study shows. The study, “Activity limitation and match load in para‐footballers with cerebral palsy: An approach for evidence‐based classification,” was published recently in the …
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) — delivering acoustic energy like a person might feel at a concert — may be helpful in treating spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, a recent review and meta-analysis suggests. While no serious side effects were observed in any patients, more research is…
Pediatricians often have to be the bearers of bad news, such as telling parents that their child has a disability. Doing so in a helpful and constructive way can be challenging, but doing a poor job can cause unnecessary distress for everyone involved. A newly published paper outlines a method,…
Baclofen, commonly prescribed for treating spasticity in adults with cerebral palsy (CP), is often given to children — but its use in this population is off-label and responses are varied. In a new review paper, researchers discussed the factors that need to be considered, and the obstacles that…