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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
A systematic review of arm activity measures for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
K Klingels1, E Jaspers, A Van de Winckel
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. Katrijn.Klingels@faber.kuleuven.be
Insights
This study identified 11 reliable and valid arm activity assessments for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. A combination of capacity, performance, and questionnaire-based tools is recommended for comprehensive evaluation and treatment guidance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts arm function in children.
- Accurate assessment of arm activities is crucial for effective research and clinical practice.
- Existing assessment tools vary in their psychometric properties and clinical applicability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify and evaluate psychometrically sound and clinically feasible assessments of arm activities in children with hemiplegic CP.
- To guide the selection of appropriate tools for research and clinical implementation.
- To inform outcome differentiation and treatment planning.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science).
- Inclusion criteria focused on activity-level assessments (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), use in children with hemiplegic CP (aged 2-18), and established reliability and validity.
- Descriptive information, psychometric properties, and clinical utility of identified assessments were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Eighteen assessments were initially identified, with 11 meeting the inclusion criteria.
- These included eight functional tests (five condition-specific, three generic) and three questionnaires.
- Functional tests assessed unimanual capacity and bimanual task performance; questionnaires addressed abilities in home/school settings. Reliability and validity were established, but responsiveness requires further study.
Conclusions:
- A combination of assessments is recommended for a comprehensive view of a child's arm function.
- Specific recommendations include the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function (capacity-based), the Assisting Hand Assessment (performance-based), and Abilhand-Kids (questionnaire).
- This multi-faceted approach supports outcome differentiation and guides treatment for pediatric hemiplegic CP.
Objective:
To identify psychometrically sound and clinically feasible assessments of arm activities in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy for implementation in research and clinical practice.
Data Sources:
PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and reference lists of relevant articles were searched.
Review Methods:
A systematic search was performed based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) evaluative tools at the activity level according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; (2) previously used in studies including children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy aged 2-18 years; (3) at least one aspect of reliability and validity in children with cerebral palsy should be established. Descriptive information, psychometric properties and clinical utility were reviewed.
Results:
Eighteen assessments were identified of which 11 met the inclusion criteria: eight functional tests and three questionnaires. Five functional tests were condition-specific, three were generic. All functional tests measure different aspects of activity, including unimanual capacity and performance during bimanual tasks. The questionnaires obtain information about the child's abilities at home or school. The reliability and validity have been established, though further use in clinical trials is necessary to determine the responsiveness.
Conclusions:
To obtain a complete view of what the child can do and what the child actually does, we advise a capacity-based test (Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function), a performance-based test (Assisting Hand Assessment) and a questionnaire (Abilhand-Kids). This will allow outcome differentiation and treatment guidance for the arm in children with cerebral palsy.
