Inclusion Criteria

Olama, K.A., & Thabit, N.S. (2010) performed a randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of whole body vibration (WBV) and a designed physical therapy program versus suspension therapy and the same designed physical therapy intervention in balance control in children with hemiparetic CP. Criteria for inclusion for the study were children with hemiparesis cerebral palsy from both sexes ages 8 to 10 years old, able to understand commands given to them, able to stand and walk independently with frequent falling, and balance problems ( as confirmed by the Tilt Board Balance Test). The exclusion criteria consisted of presence of any medical condition such as vision and hearing loss, cardiac abnormalities, and musculoskeletal disorders. Children who met the criteria (n=30) were recruited from the outpatient clinic, College of Physical Therapy, Cairo University The randomization was done according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Treatment allocations were done by the selection of a closed envelope randomly selected. Parents and children were informed of the treatment allocation after the selection, procedures were explained to both of them and signed assent and consent were obtained.

This topic could help me determine if the use of CIMT is successful and could help my future clients that suffer from cerebral palsy.

The article’s researchers believed that it is necessary to research the efficacy of these claimed evidence based interventions.

The study was a systematic review of scientific papers selected by a search of the SciELO, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and LILACS-BIREME databases. Among the 2169 articles found, 12 studies proved relevant to the issue and presented an evidence strength rating of B. No publications rated evidence strength A. Seven of the studies analyzed were prospective cohorts and 5 were cross-sectional studies.

Constraint-Induced Physical Therapy is a specialized rehabilition approach used to improve motor ability and the functional use of a limb affected by brain injury or a stroke. After suffering a stroke, a person can lose the function of one of their limbs. These stroke survivors can get frustrated and learn to stop using affected limb and start relying on the unaffected limb. Constraint-Induced Physical Therapy tries to decrease the effects of learned non-use by forcing patients to use the affected side. CIMT uses techniques like placing a mitt on the patient’s unaffected functional hand and forcing them to perform tasks with their stroke-affected limb for a majority of the day. This therapy also has the patient perform repetitive movements to repair the brains pathways. CIMT is a deliberate practice that focuses on relearning previously acquired motor skills. Relearning motor skills is measured by acquisition, retention, and transfer of skills. Acquisition is the performance of a previously learned motor skill. To relearn a motor skill, the skill must be rehearsed repeatedly. The more time a patient devotes to a task the more opportunity they have to improve their movement

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the impacts CI usage has on the PA skills of children with HL. The research included in this study provided substantial information to answer this research question but identified the need for further research. Three of the four studies were short-term, and to indicate the long-term benefits of CI usage, more research needs to be conducted on the continuing effects that CI usage has on PA skills. Although only one study explored the impacts of age of implantation, a critical age needs to be identified for greatest benefits. Finally, all four of the studies concluded that PA skills can be developed by CWHL, but the research did not provide a definite AR therapy. Research needs to explore the most beneficial AR intervention to provide CWHL the opportunity for greatest

The reason for this is because measuring treatment outcomes in people living with cerebral palsy is already difficult but it is even more so in those living with spastic quadriplegia. “Unlike an ambulant child, where changes can be seen in gait parameters, oxygen cost, and gait velocity, the child with spastic quadriplegia may show changes only in measures of impairment such as the modified Ashworth scale, Tardieu scale, or joint range of motion. It is difficult to measure change in the level of function or disability in the child with moderate to severe spasticity” (Gormley 2001). This being said, the need for clinical trials to assess management results for severely involved patients is still necessary. Designing studies that “employ standard enrolment criteria across centres, apply interventions in a standardized manner, utilize control groups and validated outcome measures, including measures of cost effectiveness and patient satisfaction” may be difficult, but are entirely necessary in order to justify the new approach to treatment that is suggested in this article (Gormley 2001).

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a treatment approach that has been found to be effective in unilateral (hemiplegic) spastic cerebral palsy. It involves constraint of the less impaired upper extremity and repetitive practice of the affected arm and hand. Casts, splints, and slings are used to restrain the unaffected arm while the individual is encouraged to use the impaired arm. The individual performs motor activities repetitively for up to 6 hours a day for 2 to 4 weeks. In order to perform more complex functional motor acts, the task is broken down into smaller movements and rewarded at each step of the

Different therapies have been used as a complementary or alternative form of medicine. Some clinical therapy trials have not been recognized by the mainstream because so of the results have come back inconclusive or showed no benefit. Although some therapies have shown an improvement in cerebral palsy cases especially in children, these therapies have still not been recognized by the food and drug administration as an aid for cerebral palsy. Some of these therapies include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, resistance clothing during exercise, forms of electrical stimulation, assistance in completing certain movements several times a day, and specialized learning strategies (Cerebral Palsy: Hope Through Research, 2016) . Dietary supplements, herbal

The specific inclusion criteria for program enrollment included (a) offenders who reported for Level 2 or 3 probation, (b) had a recommendation or mandate for substance abuse screening in their sentencing order or had a substance abuse screen ordered by the PO at intake, (c) had a probation duration of 6 months or longer, (d) were age 18 years or older, (e) spoke English, and (f) failed their initial urinalysis. Exclusion criteria were (a) diagnosed current and known DSM-IV-R psychotic disorder, (b) current conviction for sex offense (specialized caseload), (c) evidence of neuropsychological dysfunction, (d) life expectancy of less than 6 months, and (e) probation or parole requirements that prevented protocol participation. The final sample

The topic in this systematic review is clearly defined, initially in the abstract, and being repeated in the introduction. Yes, the search for studies and other evidence was comprehensive and unbiased as it was able to be. Strict criteria were followed as described in Figure 1. Yes, the screening of citations for inclusion in this review was based on explicit criteria, as they wanted to promote confidence in the outcomes appropriate guidelines were followed carefully. Yes, the included studies were evaluated for

Current physical therapy practice will have better outcome if they use a mix of assistive technology, strength, and balance concurrently with physical therapy. For future research, researchers should continue to test techniques for balance, assistive technology, and strength in order for physical therapists to advance in their practice and to have the best outcome for their patient. The gaps of knowledge in this review is that there is no specific technique to help with gait for individuals with cerebral palsy. In order to get the best results, a longitudinal study is missing from this research. A possible suggestion is to continue to evaluate the patients with cerebral palsy overtime to see how much balance, strength, and assistive technology does in fact impact their

They can opt between different types of therapies or even surgery. Physical therapy will try to help the patient gain some independence through stretching, flexibility exercises and range-of-motion activities. Occupational therapy will help with the development of skills to perform daily life activities. Most of the time they will focus on strengthening their hands and fingers since they are not able to move the majority of their bodies. A benefit of doing this therapy is that it will improve the patient’s learning abilities, which will make a significant change in their lives. Another type of therapy is speech therapy, which aims to improve basic language and vocabulary development. It is crucial that a patient of cerebral palsy knows how to communicate with their caregivers or anyone who can provide help to them. Fortunately, there is also medication that can help the patients with their condition. Benzodiazepines can be prescribed to alleviate muscle stiffness; Diazepam is mostly used at treating stiffness of the legs. Patients can also undergo surgery; a highly recommended one is the Selective Doral Rhizotomy, which main goal is to relax the muscles and improve mobility in various

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is an example of an upper motor neurone lesion and a general term for a group of neurological conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It affects around 1 in 400 people, occurring in utero or the first few years of life. Multiple parts of the brain can be affected, resulting in different types and severities. Approximately 80% have upper limb involvement with problems in the wrist and hand being most frequent, which affect activities of daily living (ALDs) such as eating. Around 56% are prescribed upper limb orthoses, with only around half using them. Upper limb orthoses cannot be concealed which may account for this low patient compliance, or upper limb function

Sounds good, Morgan. But, what is your inclusion and exclusion criteria for your sample? I was just wondering if other medical conditions were considered. Non-compliance is a commonn finding in primary care, but trying to manage a patient's blood pressure in the presence of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity is challenging. Good luck, and I am looking forward to hearing more.