American Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences. 2025;
10(1):(126-143)
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Modified Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Performed on Children with Cerebral Palsy by a Home-Treatment Program
Hiroshi Tanabe, Hirofumi Tanabe, Shosaku Okuda, Toshimasa Mikawa, Yoshimi Sakurai, Yuichi Takata.
Abstract
A series of pediatric
Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) sessions were conducted online on
ten children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) under a home treatment
program. The intervention effectiveness of the therapy was evaluated by
employing Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS), Pediatric Evaluation of
Disability Inventory (PEDI), and Pediatric Motor Activity Log PMAL) as indices.
The home practice CIMT protocols included the constraining of the non-paralyzed
hand (by wearing safety mittens on it), MAL management by mothers, and
intensive practices by shaping performed at home with mothers. Notably, all ten
participants completed the program. Scores of PDMS, PEDI, and PMAL exhibited
significant improvements during the intervention, whose effects lasted until
the follow-up evaluation three months after it. The results of this study
demonstrate that pediatric-CIMT (P-CIMT) at home, involving the constraining of
the non-paralyzed hand by wearing safety mittens on it, could exhibit the same
level of treatment effects as the P-CIMT conducted on patients visiting the
outpatient department of medical facilities.
