Group constraint-induced movement therapy for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE. We investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of group-based constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in a clinical setting. METHOD. Seven children received CIMT together under the guidance of two occupational therapy practitioners, 2.5 hr/day, 5 days/wk for 4 wk. We used the Grasping and Visual-Motor Integration subtests of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales to assess the primary outcome and the Functional Skills and Caregiver Assistance Scales of the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory to assess the secondary outcome. Children were examined at preintervention, postintervention, and 1- and 3-mo follow-up. RESULTS. Children demonstrated significant improvement on all outcome measures after intervention (all ps < .05, effect sizes = .39-.84), and effects were maintained at 3-mo follow-up. CONCLUSION. This preliminary study revealed that group-based CIMT for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy may be a feasible and effective alternative to individual CIMT in clinical practice.