Expeditions can challenge anyone. However, no matter how challenging, a physically difficult goal is beneficial for people with cerebral palsy. Working on controlling, strengthening, and loosening muscles helps with learning patterns, which can increase coordination. Many people with disabilities participate in a variety of sports and extreme physical…

Malnutrition affects a majority of children with cerebral palsy, mainly due to severe motor disability. Better tools are needed to assess their nutritional status and to design improved rehabilitation plans for these young patients, researchers in Turkey suggest. Their study, “…

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…

Imagine that you are an elementary school student, and your entire class is going on an overnight camping trip. Of course, you would like to go and you start to feel excited. But then you remember your physical disability and realize that a nature hike would probably be…

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…

Hey everyone, a couple things before I get into this column: First, this month I plan to roll out audio with my column so I can extend my “readability” and be more accessible to all of you. Next, I want to talk a little bit about what…

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…