1
|
Kleeren L, Mailleux L, McLean B, Elliott C, Dequeker G, Van Campenhout A, de Xivry JJO, Verheyden G, Ortibus E, Klingels K, Feys H. Does somatosensory discrimination therapy alter sensorimotor upper limb function differently compared to motor therapy in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:147. [PMID: 38409060 PMCID: PMC10895830 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07967-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides motor impairments, up to 90% of the children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) present with somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. As somatosensory information is of utmost importance for coordinated movements and motor learning, somatosensory impairments can further compromise the effective use of the impaired upper limb in daily life activities. Yet, intervention approaches specifically designated to target these somatosensory impairments are insufficiently investigated in children and adolescents with uCP. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare the effectiveness of somatosensory discrimination therapy and dose-matched motor therapy to improve sensorimotor upper limb function in children and adolescents with uCP, who experience somatosensory impairments in the upper limb. We will further explore potential behavioral and neurological predictors of therapy response. METHODS A parallel group, evaluator-blinded, phase-II, single-center RCT will be conducted for which 50 children and adolescents with uCP, aged 7 to 15 years, will be recruited. Participants will be randomized to receive 3 weekly sessions of 45 minutes of either somatosensory discrimination therapy or upper limb motor therapy for a period of 8 weeks. Stratification will be performed based on age, manual ability, and severity of tactile impairment at baseline. Sensorimotor upper limb function will be evaluated at baseline, immediately after the intervention and after 6 months follow-up. The primary outcome measure will be bimanual performance as measured with the Assisting Hand Assessment. Secondary outcomes include a comprehensive test battery to objectify somatosensory function and measures of bimanual coordination, unimanual motor function, and goal attainment. Brain imaging will be performed at baseline to investigate structural brain lesion characteristics and structural connectivity of the white matter tracts. DISCUSSION This protocol describes the design of an RCT comparing the effectiveness of somatosensory discrimination therapy and dose-matched motor therapy to improve sensorimotor upper limb function in children and adolescents with uCP. The results of this study may aid in the selection of the most effective upper limb therapy, specifically for children and adolescents with tactile impairments. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06006065). Registered on August 8, 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lize Kleeren
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium.
- KU Leuven, Child and Youth Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
- Hasselt University, Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Diepenbeek, B-3590, Belgium.
| | - Lisa Mailleux
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Child and Youth Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| | - Belinda McLean
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Kids Rehab WA, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
| | - Catherine Elliott
- Curtin School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Kids Rehab WA, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
| | - Griet Dequeker
- University Hospitals Leuven, Cerebral Palsy Reference Centre, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| | - Anja Van Campenhout
- KU Leuven, Child and Youth Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Cerebral Palsy Reference Centre, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| | - Jean-Jacques Orban de Xivry
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Movement Sciences, Research Group of Motor Control and Neuroplasticity, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| | - Geert Verheyden
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Els Ortibus
- KU Leuven, Child and Youth Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- University Hospitals Leuven, Cerebral Palsy Reference Centre, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| | - Katrijn Klingels
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
- Hasselt University, Rehabilitation Research Centre, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Diepenbeek, B-3590, Belgium
| | - Hilde Feys
- KU Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Research Group for Neurorehabilitation, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Child and Youth Institute, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jovellar-Isiegas P, Cuesta García C, Jaén-Carrillo D, Palomo-Carrión R, Peña Alonso C, Roche-Seruendo LE. Somatosensation and motor performance in the less-affected and more-affected hand of unilateral cerebral palsy children: a cross-sectional study. Disabil Rehabil 2023; 45:3500-3510. [PMID: 36172643 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2127938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to examine motor performance and somatosensory processing of unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) children in both the less-affected hand and the more-affected hand. This study is also aimed at analysing the somatosensory proccessing in the more-affected hand in relation to age and damaged hemisphere. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-seven children aged from 6 to 15 years (UCP = 23; TD = 24) were recruited. Grip strength, pinch strength, Box and Block Test and Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test were used to analyse motor performance. A comprehensive somatosensory assessment battery was included: tactile registration, unilateral, bilateral and spatio-temporal perception, haptic recognition, texture perception, proprioception, pressure pain threshold and functional sensitivity. RESULTS UCP children exhibited lower performance in all aspects of motor performance measured in both the less-affected hand and the more-affected hand, except grip strength in the less-affected hand. Significant differences were found for all tests included in the somatosensory assessment in both the less-affected hand and the more-affected hand, except unilateral perception tests in the less-affected hand. CONCLUSIONS UCP children present difficulties in motor performance and somatosensory processing not only in the more-affected hand, but also in the less-affected hand. Somatosensation may be a critical driver of functional performance.Implications for rehabilitationThe less-affected hand of children with unilateral cerebral palsy should be included in both assessment and intervention programmes.Somatosensory processing should be assessed through a comprehensive battery, both in the less-affected hand and in the more-affected hand of unilateral cerebral palsy children.Somatosensory treatment must be taken into account if functional performance in the activities of daily living of unilateral cerebral palsy children is to be improved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - César Cuesta García
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Centre for Advanced University Studies La Salle, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rocío Palomo-Carrión
- Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dukkipati SS, Walker SJ, Trevarrow MP, Busboom M, Baker SE, Kurz MJ. Reduced wrist flexor H-reflex excitability is linked with increased wrist proprioceptive error in adults with cerebral palsy. Front Neurol 2022; 13:930303. [PMID: 36016542 PMCID: PMC9396222 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.930303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Although most neurophysiological studies of persons with cerebral palsy (CP) have been focused on supraspinal networks, recent evidence points toward the spinal cord as a central contributor to their motor impairments. However, it is unclear if alterations in the spinal pathways are also linked to deficits in the sensory processing observed clinically. This investigation aimed to begin to address this knowledge gap by evaluating the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflex in adults with CP and neurotypical (NT) controls while at rest and during an isometric wrist flexion task. The maximal H-wave (Hmax) and M-wave (Mmax) at rest were calculated and utilized to compute Hmax/Mmax ratios (H:M ratios). Secondarily, the facilitation of the H-wave was measured while producing an isometric, voluntary wrist flexion contraction (i.e., active condition). Finally, a wrist position sense test was used to quantify the level of joint position sense. These results revealed that the adults with CP had a lower H:M ratio compared with the NT controls while at rest. The adults with CP were also unable to facilitate their H-reflexes with voluntary contraction and had greater position sense errors compared with the controls. Further, these results showed that the adults with CP that had greater wrist position sense errors tended to have a lower H:M ratio at rest. Overall, these findings highlight that aberration in the spinal cord pathways of adults with CP might play a role in the sensory processing deficiencies observed in adults with CP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S. Shekar Dukkipati
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sarah J. Walker
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | | | - Morgan Busboom
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sarah E. Baker
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Max J. Kurz
- Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, United States
- School of Medicine, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
- *Correspondence: Max J. Kurz
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Taylor S, Elliott C, McLean B, Parsons R, Falkmer T, Carey LM, Blair E, Girdler S. Construct validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test for use in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Aust Occup Ther J 2022; 69:637-646. [PMID: 35768897 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We investigate the construct validity, test re-test reliability, and responsiveness of the Wrist Position Sense Test (WPST) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS Twenty-eight children with spastic hemiplegic CP [mean age 10.8 years; SD 2.4 years] and 39 typically developing (TD) children [mean age 11 years; SD 2.9 years] participated in a cross-sectional study to investigate construct validity and association with an upper limb activity measure, the Box and Block Test (BBT). Twenty-two TD children were tested at a second time-point to examine reliability. Test responsiveness was determined by random allocation of 17 children with CP to a treatment (n = 10) or control (n = 7) group with assessments completed at four time-points. RESULTS Significantly greater differences were observed in mean error of indicated wrist position (p < 0.01) in children with CP at baseline (M = 21.6°, SD = 21.6°) than in TD children (M = 12.8°, SD = 11.0°). Larger WPST errors were associated with poorer performance on the BBT (p < 0.01) indicating a substantial association, and there were no consistent differences between time-points indicating test re-test reliability within a TD population. The WPST demonstrated responsiveness to intervention with a statistically significant reduction in mean error following treatment (p < 0.001), not seen in the control group (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION The WPST demonstrated construct validity in this preliminary study. Scores were associated with an upper limb activity measure, and scores changed significantly following somatosensory training. These findings support further research and future psychometric investigation of the WPST in children with CP. KEY POINTS FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY This study provides psychometric knowledge about the WPST tool The WPST shows promise as a discriminative measure with preliminary evidence of responsiveness and intra-rater reliability Until further testing, the WPST can be used cautiously in future research studies to measure wrist position sense.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan Taylor
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Kids Rehab Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine Elliott
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Kids Rehab Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Belinda McLean
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Kids Rehab Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Richard Parsons
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Torbjorn Falkmer
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Leeanne M Carey
- Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eve Blair
- Neurorehabilitation and Recovery, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sonya Girdler
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.,Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|