Dexterity of the Less Affected Hand in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Authors

Matthew B Burn
Gloria R Gogola

Publication Date

11-1-2022

Journal

Hand

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To determine if the "unaffected" hand in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is truly unaffected.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of manual dexterity as measured by the Functional Dexterity Test (FDT) in 66 children (39 boys, 27 girls, mean age: 11 years 4 months) with hemiplegic CP. Data were stratified by Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level, birth weight, and gestational age at birth, and compared with previously published normative values.

RESULTS: The FDT speed of the less affected hand is significantly lower than typically developing (TD) children (

CONCLUSIONS: Both dexterity and rate of fine motor skill acquisition in the less affected hand of children with hemiplegic CP is significantly less than that of TD children. The less affected hand should be evaluated and included in comprehensive treatment plans for these children.

Keywords

Child, Male, Female, Infant, Newborn, Humans, Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegia, Birth Weight, Hand, Hand Strength

Comments

PMID: 33605176