Title: The Effect of Constraint Induced Movement Therapy on Function and Cortical Reorganization in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Presenters:

Patricia A. Burtner Ph.D., OTR/L

John Phillips MD

Abstract:

Constraint Induced movement therapy (CIMT) is a new form of intervention for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy in which the less involved extremity is restrained and child through massed practice of tasks retrains muscles of the hemiplegic arm/hand. This pilot study investigates the feasibility of using fMRI as a physiologic marker of brain plasticity before and after an intensive 2-week CIMT program in children 6-14 yrs of age with spastic hemiplegic (CP). Six children are being recruited for the CIMT clinical trial and 6 control children will also be recruited to serve as control children. The children with CP receive CIMT twice daily (4hrs total) for two weeks. fMRI scans of the motor cortex during active wrist flexion/extension and hand opening and closing are completed pre- and post-intervention (immediately and 3 months post). Five clinical measures of hand and arm function, self care and parent goals are also used to document changes. Preliminary results of three children who have completed CIMT will be presented.