Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation
Published on: March 8, 2018
Protocol and Feasibility-Randomized Trial of Telehealth Delivery for a Multicomponent Upper Extremity Intervention in
Lindsay Pietruszewski1, Stephanie Burkhardt1, Paul J Yoder2
1Center for Perinatal Research at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Insights
This study found that a telehealth intervention improved upper extremity (UE) motor function in infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy. The approach demonstrated feasibility and potential effectiveness for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Telemedicine
Background:
- Previous research demonstrated the efficacy of in-person, therapist-guided, parent-implemented interventions for improving upper extremity (UE) motor function in infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy.
- This study documents treatment fidelity and evaluates the initial effectiveness of delivering this intervention via telehealth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt a successful in-person intervention for telehealth delivery.
- To assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a telehealth-based intervention for infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- Infants (6-24 months) with asymmetric cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=7) or a waitlist control group (n=6).
- The intervention involved soft-constraint wear on the less affected UE for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, plus exercises.
- Following an initial in-person session, three telehealth sessions were conducted.
Main Results:
- Median weekly constraint wear was 21 hours, with high parent-treatment fidelity (95.7%).
- A significant large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.92) was observed in fine motor functioning of the more affected UEs favoring the intervention group.
Conclusions:
- The telehealth intervention is feasible and shows potential effectiveness in improving motor function for infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy.
- A larger clinical trial is warranted to confirm the efficacy of this telehealth approach.
Background:
Past work showed that an in-person, therapist-guided, parent-implemented multicomponent intervention increased the motor functioning of the more affected upper extremity (UE) in infants with asymmetric cerebral palsy. The authors document treatment fidelity and provide initial testing of telehealth intervention delivery in a new subject sample.
Methods:
The authors adapted the intervention manual used in the previous trial for telehealth. Infants (6-24 months) were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 7) or waitlist (n = 6). The intervention prescribed soft-constraint wear on the less affected UE for 6 hours, 5 d/wk, and exercises. After an initial in-person training session, three 15- to 45-minute telehealth sessions were performed.
Results:
Median weekly constraint wear was 21 hours (interquartile range = 10.3-29.7); average parent-treatment fidelity was 95.7% (SD 11.2). A significant large (Cohen d = 0.92) between-group differences occurred on fine motor functioning of more affected UEs.
Conclusion:
The telehealth intervention was feasible and potentially effective, but a larger trial is needed to evaluate efficacy.
More Related Videos
07:35Author Spotlight: Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients With a Digital Occupational Training System
Published on: December 29, 2023
05:28Author Spotlight: Enhancing Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients Through Advanced Robotic and Neuromodulation Technologies
Published on: October 11, 2024