*Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied health Sciences, Hashemite University, Jordan
**Department of Occupational Therapy, Hashemite University, Jordan
Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been documented to improve motor function in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Most of CIMT previous studies were carried out by therapists at laboratory or clinical-based environment.
The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the possibility of using CIMT in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy by their mothers at their homes.
Three children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy participated in CIMT training and completed the evaluation. Children's functional upper-extremity activities were assessed at home using the Pediatric Motor Activity Log (PMAL) (parent ratings) at baseline, after, and at 4 weeks post-treatment. The CIMT involved promoting increased use of the more-affected arm and hand by intensive training of the more-impaired upper extremity for six hours/day for 21 consecutive days coupled with bivalve long arm casting of the child's less-affected upper extremity.
Constraint-induced movement therapy as implemented in this study was acceptable to mothers and their children but with some difficulties. Over the intervention period, participants experienced improvements in the performance of important daily activities as determined by parents rating.
Modified constraint-induced therapy which is family-focused is sufficiently promising to justify additional studies with larger sample size in the form of a randomized control trails using different types of splints.
Physical therapy, Occupational therapy, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy, Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, Home based therapy
