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Motor performance of children with cerebral palsy in anterior reach

Leiliane Mônika Dos Santos Soares1, Juliana Maria Savazzi Geraldini Rozane1, Raquel de Paula Carvalho2

  • 1Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Silva Jardim, 136 - Vila Mathias, Santos, SP 11015-020, Brazil.

Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|June 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit reduced anterior reach and movement control compared to typically developing peers. This suggests difficulties in postural balance and trunk/shoulder mobility during forward reaching tasks.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric motor control
  • Biomechanics of movement
  • Neurological disorders

Background:

  • Children with cerebral palsy (CP) demonstrate limited anterior reach from a standing position.
  • Potential causes include challenges in lower limb stabilization or forward reaching movement control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and compare the anterior reach motor performance between children with CP and typically developing children.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 28 children (14 with spastic CP, 14 typically developing).
  • Utilized the Pediatric Reach Test and three-dimensional motion analysis for evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Children with CP exhibited significantly lower movement control during anterior reach.
  • Both bilateral and unilateral CP groups showed reduced shoulder and trunk range of motion compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Children with CP display impaired anterior displacement and movement control.
  • Difficulties in trunk bending and shoulder flexion during reaching suggest compromised postural balance in children with CP.
Abstract

Keywords:
BalanceCerebral palsyChildrenKinematicReaching

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