Effect of Upper-Extremity Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Gross Motor Outcomes in Children with Cerebral...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor development in children.
• Upper-extremity constraint-induced movement therapy (UE-CIMT) is a common intervention, primarily targeting upper limb function.
• The potential effects of UE-CIMT on gross motor skills and lower extremity function remain an area of active investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically evaluate the impact of UE-CIMT on gross motor skills, postural control, and lower extremity function in children with hemiplegic CP.
• To synthesize findings from existing literature regarding the efficacy of UE-CIMT for these functional outcomes.
• To identify gaps in current research and guide future study design.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Ovid.
• Keywords included "cerebral palsy," "children," "CIMT," "gross motor skills," "postural control," "balance," and "gait."
• Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, with nine eligible studies included in the review.

Main Results:

• Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, suggesting potential benefits of UE-CIMT for improving gross motor skills, postural control, and lower extremity function.
• Positive outcomes were observed in measures such as the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and gait parameters.
• Methodological heterogeneity across studies limits the strength and generalizability of the findings.

Conclusions:

• Emerging evidence indicates that UE-CIMT may positively influence gross motor skills and lower extremity function, extending beyond its primary target of upper extremity improvement.
• The current evidence base is limited by methodological weaknesses, small sample sizes, and study design variability.
• High-quality, well-designed randomized controlled trials are essential to validate these preliminary findings and inform comprehensive rehabilitation strategies for children with CP.