scholarly journals Action Observation Treatment Improves Upper Limb Motor Functions in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Combined Clinical and Brain Imaging Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Buccino ◽  
Anna Molinaro ◽  
Claudia Ambrosi ◽  
Daniele Arisi ◽  
Lorella Mascaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Imaging Study ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Functional Scores ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Object Interactions

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of action observation treatment (AOT) in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. We carried out a two-group, parallel randomized controlled trial. Eighteen children (aged 5–11 yr) entered the study: 11 were treated children, and 7 served as controls. Outcome measures were scores on two functional scales: Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function Scale (MUUL) and the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA). We collected functional scores before treatment (T1), at the end of treatment (T2), and at two months of follow-up (T3). As compared to controls, treated children improved significantly in both scales at T2 and this improvement persisted at T3. AOT has therefore the potential to become a routine rehabilitation practice in children with CP. Twelve out of 18 enrolled children also underwent a functional magnetic resonance study at T1 and T2. As compared to controls, at T2, treated children showed stronger activation in a parieto-premotor circuit for hand-object interactions. These findings support the notion that AOT contributes to reorganize brain circuits subserving the impaired function rather than activating supplementary or vicariating ones.

scholarly journals Improving upper limb motor functions through action observation treatment: a pilot study in children with cerebral palsy

2012 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 822-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
GIOVANNI BUCCINO ◽  
DANIELE ARISI ◽  
PATRICIA GOUGH ◽  
DANIELA APRILE ◽  
CHIARA FERRI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

scholarly journals Upper limb therapy in children with cerebral palsy (CP) – The Pirate Group

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-67
Author(s):  
Marta Pawlak ◽  
Beata Wnuk ◽  
Daniela Kowalicka ◽  
Aleksandra Rosłoniec
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Movement Therapy ◽  
Limb Function ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Constraint Induced Movement Therapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Bimanual Training ◽  
Spastic Hemiplegia

Abstract Introduction: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the form of spastic hemiplegia experience numerous difficulties concerning an affected upper limb such as reaching for objects, gripping or manipulating them. These limitations affect their everyday activity. Conducting an effective and simultaneously an interesting therapy aimed at meeting the child’s individual needs and improving upper limb function is a challenge for a physiotherapist. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of upper limb therapy carried out within the project titled “The Pirate Group” based on Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Bimanual Training (BIT) conducted in a specially arranged environment. Material and methods: The research included 16 children with CP in the form of spastic hemiplegia. Mean age of the study participants was 4.23 years. The children underwent a two-week Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) combined with Bimanual Training (BIT). In order to evaluate the effects of the therapy, each child underwent the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) prior to the therapy and after its completion. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p<0.05) between the results of AHA prior to and after the therapy (t(14)=9.12, p<0.0001). An improvement in the affected upper limb function was noted in all the children participating in the research. Conclusions: The project titled “The Pirate Group”, based on CIMT and BIT is an effective therapeutic intervention which improves spontaneous activity of the affected upper limb in children with hemiplegia.

scholarly journals Can a pathological model improve the abilities of the paretic hand in hemiplegic children? The PAM-AOT study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053910
Author(s):  
Jessica Verzelloni ◽  
Antonino Errante ◽  
Laura Beccani ◽  
Mariacristina Filippi ◽  
Barbara Bressi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Limb Function ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Pathological Model ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionAction Observation Treatment (AOT) is an innovative therapeutic approach consisting in the observation of actions followed by subsequent repetition. In children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), it improves upper limb function in daily activities. The standard paradigm of AOT requires the observation of healthy models; however, it has been demonstrated that the mirror neuron system of children with UCP is more activated by observation of pathological models, showing a similar motor repertoire, than by the healthy model, suggesting that AOT based on pathological models is superior to the standard paradigm of AOT in the functional rehabilitation of the affected upper limb of children with UCP.Methods and analysisThis protocol describes an active two-arm randomised controlled evaluator-blinded trial. Twenty-six children with UCP will participate in 3 weeks of intensive AOT: the experimental group will observe a pathological model, while the control group will observe a typically developed model. The primary outcome is the spontaneous use of the paretic hand, measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcome measures are the Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function, the ABILHAND-Kids and the Activities Scale for Kids-performance. Assessments will be performed at baseline (T0), at the end of intensive AOT (T1), at 8–12 weeks (T2) and at 24–28 weeks (T3) after the end of intensive AOT.Ethics and disseminationThe trial was approved by the Area Vasta Emilia Nord Ethics Committee (AVEN prot. n. 133117, 29 November 2018), and it was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The results will be submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed journal, discussed with parents of children participating in the trial and disseminated at suitable conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04088994; Pre-results.

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