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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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
Upper limb orthoses and assistive technology utilization in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy recruited from a
Remo Nunzio Russo1, Renae Atkins, Eric Haan
1Paediatric Rehabilitation, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia. russ0169@flinders.edu.au
Insights
Assistive technologies (AT) show higher utility than upper limb orthoses for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). Many children abandon prescribed orthoses, indicating a need for reassessment of their use in HCP management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) affects upper limb function in children.
- Orthoses and assistive technologies (AT) are commonly prescribed interventions.
- Understanding the utilization and effectiveness of these devices is crucial for optimizing care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the utilization of upper limb orthoses and AT in a community-based sample of children with HCP.
- To compare device usage based on prescription patterns.
- To identify factors associated with orthotic prescription.
Main Methods:
- A population-based survey of children with HCP was conducted.
- Clinical examination and standardized outcome measures (AIMS, SPPC, PedsQL, PEDI) were utilized.
- Data were analyzed to compare prescription and usage rates.
Main Results:
- 56% of children with HCP received upper limb orthoses, and 46% received AT.
- Usage rates were significantly higher for AT (98%) compared to orthoses (48%).
- Increased wrist tone was associated with orthotic prescription (OR 39.6).
Conclusions:
- Children with HCP prescribed orthoses and AT represent a more severely affected subgroup.
- AT demonstrate higher utility and adherence compared to upper limb orthoses in this population.
- High abandonment rates for orthoses suggest potential issues with prescription appropriateness or adherence.
Objective:
To describe the use of upper limb orthoses and assistive technologies (AT) in a representative community-based sample of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) and compare children on the basis of their prescription.
Method:
Survey of all children with HCP entered on a population register. Outcome measures included a clinical examination; Assessment of Motor and Process skills; Self-perception Profile for Children; PedsQL version 4; Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.
Results:
Of 107 respondents, 56% were prescribed upper limb orthoses and 46% AT; 48% of children prescribed upper limb orthoses were using them, compared to 98% of children prescribed AT. Greater tone at the wrist was associated with orthotic prescription (OR [95% CI] 39.6 [4.8, 323]).
Conclusion:
Children with HCP prescribed orthoses and AT are a more severely affected group. AT have higher utility than upper limb orthoses in children with HCP, with orthoses having a high rate of abandonment.
