U.S. researchers have been awarded a $2.7 million grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study how technology can potentially boost language therapy for children with severe speech disorders, including those with cerebral palsy (CP). The study will be led by researchers at the University of…

MiYoga, a mindfulness-based movement program, can enhance attention and the ability to consistently complete tasks in children with cerebral palsy, a study reports. The study, “Effect of mindfulness yoga programme MiYoga on attention, behaviour, and physical outcomes in cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial,” was published in Developmental Medicine and…

Manual ability, rather than gross motor function, seems to be more closely related to communication function in cerebral palsy children, according to a study in South Korea. The study, “Functional Communication Profiles in Children with Cerebral Palsy in Relation to Gross Motor Function and Manual and Intellectual Ability,” was…

The ability of young children with cerebral palsy to understand language can accurately predict their language skills and difficulties later in life, according to a recent study. The study also concluded that children with cerebral palsy who are unable to speak should receive early intervention to help…

A blood test that identifies changes in specific molecules through a tiny amount of blood collected days to weeks after birth could be used to predict the risk of cerebral palsy in premature babies, a study suggests. The study, “MicroRNA Profile Differences in Neonates at Risk…

Playing games on a Nintendo Wii console plus standard care may improve grip strength and hand function and decrease muscle stiffness in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, researchers suggest. Their study, “Effect of Wii training on hand function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy,” was published in the…

Rehabilitation therapy focused on controlling and managing involuntary movements of the hands may be beneficial for some patients with a type of cerebral palsy where only one side of the body is affected, according to researchers. Their study, “Learning to cope with mirror movements in unilateral…

Infants at high risk of developing cerebral palsy have delayed development of posture control and may benefit from early postural training, a study has found. The study also suggests that children who develop cerebral palsy due to a specific type of brain lesion may benefit from different postural interventions that…

Tracking eye movement can be a viable approach to assessing language perception in children with normal development and those with neurodevelopmental delay. The study, “Using Eye Tracking (ET) as a Tool to Assess Receptive Language (RL) in Typically Developing (TD) Children and Children at High Risk for Neurodevelopmental Delay (NDD),”…

The length of exposure time to low-dose steroids during pregnancy is key to determining their effectiveness in improving the outcomes of premature babies — a risk factor for cerebral palsy. The study, “The efficacy of antenatal steroid therapy is dependent on the duration of low-concentration fetal exposure: Evidence from…