Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
08:26

Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Published on: January 11, 2016

Cerebral palsy: A reconceptualization of the spectrum

Bruce K Shapiro1

  • 1Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|August 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Current cerebral palsy definitions focus narrowly on motor impairments. Revisions are needed to include broader neurodevelopmental issues and align classifications with modern understanding of disability and therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) definitions and classifications were established approximately 50 years ago.
  • The historical focus was on nonprogressive brain lesions and persistent motor impairments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the need for revising current cerebral palsy classifications.
  • To align CP definitions with broader neurodevelopmental perspectives and current therapeutic expectations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing cerebral palsy definitions and classification systems.
  • Analysis of the limitations of current definitions in addressing neurodevelopmental dysfunction.
  • Discussion of necessary modifications for updated classifications.

Main Results:

  • Current CP definitions isolate motor dysfunction, neglecting broader neurodevelopmental issues.
  • Existing classifications require significant revision, with some needing to be discarded.
  • Updated classifications should reflect current knowledge and broader views of function and therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Cerebral palsy classifications necessitate revision to encompass a wider spectrum of neurodevelopmental dysfunction.
  • Modernizing CP classifications is crucial for reflecting current expectations in disability care and therapy.

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