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Correlation of motor function and stereognosis impairment in upper limb cerebral palsy
Elspeth Kinnucan1, Ann Van Heest, Wendy Tomhave
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Insights
In children with cerebral palsy, impaired hand sensation (stereognosis) is linked to poorer motor function. Difficulty completing the Jebsen-Taylor test indicates reduced stereognosis in the affected hand.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function and sensation.
- Spastic hemiplegia is a common form of CP impacting one side of the body.
- Assessing hand function is crucial for rehabilitation in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the correlation between motor function (Jebsen-Taylor test) and sensory function (stereognosis) in children with spastic hemiplegia due to CP.
- To investigate the relationship between specific motor tasks and tactile object recognition.
Main Methods:
- Chart review of 41 children (average age 8.7 years) with hemiplegic or triplegic CP.
- Data collected included Jebsen-Taylor test, 12-object stereognosis, diagnosis, affected side, and prior treatments.
- Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square, paired t-tests, and correlation.
Main Results:
- Significant inverse correlations were found between Jebsen-Taylor subtests and stereognosis scores in the affected hand (p ≤ 0.04).
- Children unable to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test had significantly lower stereognosis scores (p = 0.04).
- Affected hands showed significantly lower stereognosis and longer Jebsen-Taylor test times compared to the contralateral side (p < .001).
Conclusions:
- Stereognosis impairment is correlated with motor function impairment in children with hemiplegic and triplegic CP.
- Inability to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test is associated with impaired stereognosis.
- Findings highlight the link between sensory and motor deficits in pediatric CP.
Purpose:
To correlate motor function, as measured by the Jebsen-Taylor test, and sensory function, as measured by the 12-object stereognosis testing, in the hands of children with spastic hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy.
Methods:
A chart review identified children with hemiplegic and triplegic cerebral palsy with stereognosis and Jebsen-Taylor testing between 1997 and 2008. Forty-one children were included in the study, including 22 girls and 19 boys, with an average age of 8.7 years (range, 6-16 years). The right side is affected in 23 children; 34 children have hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and 7 have triplegic cerebral palsy. The initial Jebsen-Taylor and stereognosis test results were recorded for each subject, as well as age, diagnosis, affected side, and prior treatment with hand therapy, botulinum toxin injection, or surgery. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, paired t-tests, and correlation measurements were used for analysis of the data.
Results:
Statistically significant inverse correlations exist between the cards, small objects, checkers, light objects, and heavy objects on the Jebsen-Taylor subtests, as correlated with the stereognosis scores in the affected hand (p < or = 0.04). The stereognosis scores for the patients who were not able to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand were significantly lower than those who were able to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand (p = .04). The stereognosis scores were significantly lower for the affected side as compared with the contralateral side. The Jebsen-Taylor total test times were significantly longer for the affected side as compared with the contralateral side (p < .001).
Conclusions:
In children with hemiplegic and triplegic cerebral palsy, the impairment of stereognosis is correlated with impairment in motor function, and the inability to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand is associated with impaired stereognosis function.
Type Of Study/Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic IV.
