Active clinical trials for "Cerebral Palsy"

This study aimed to develop Video Compact Disc (VCD) program that applying the concept of imitative learning with mirror neurons stimulation on standard rehabilitation technique in children with cerebral palsy. The author will also examine effectiveness of the program by compare the motor function measured by the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66) between conventional physical therapy and the mirror neurons stimulation based VCD program for six months.

Visual perception impairment and upper limb disability will affect the handwriting performance. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have good function on upper extremity may associated with visual perception impairment, which will impact the handwriting performance. However, there were few studies to investigate the handwriting problems in children with CP who have good upper limb functions. To date, there are no studies to investigate the effectiveness of computerized handwriting training programs on handwriting performance in children with CP. The aims of this study were to establish the relationships of visual perception, visual motor integration, and motor coordination of handwriting performance in children with typical development (TD) in Taiwan, to establish the norms of handwriting performance in children with TD in Taiwan, to compare handwriting performance in children with CP and children with TD, to clarify the relationship of visual perception function and handwriting performance in children with CP, and to examine the effectiveness of interactive computerized handwriting training program (ICHTP) on handwriting performance in children with CP. The investigators will collect 90 children with TD and 48 children with CP in the 1st phase. All children will receive clinical and Chinese handwriting assessment tool (CHAT) assessments. The CHAT and ICHTP will be modified as Taiwan-version handwriting assessment tool and training programs for children in Taiwan, respectively. Clinical assessments include the visual perception, visual motor integration, fine motor skill, and handwriting performance. The CHAT assessed the handwriting legibility, accuracy, pen pressure and writing speed. In the 2nd phase, the investigators will collect 48 children with CP, who were randomly classified into ICHTP group and Traditional Handwriting Training Program (THTP). All children with CP will receive clinical and CHAT assessments before and after interventions. The expected results of this study are the visual perception function is related to handwriting performance in children with CP, and the improvements in the handwriting legibility, accuracy, pen pressure and writing speed of ICHTP training group are greater than THTP training group.

This study will evaluate the long-term safety of BOTOX® (botulinum toxin Type A) for the treatment of pediatric lower limb spasticity.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in subjects with cerebral palsy (CP) to evaluate the safety and tolerability and the effect of dalfampridine extended release (ER) tablets on sensorimotor function

This study will compare two treatment approaches that are currently being used for children with cerebral palsy. Both treatments aim to improve a child's function. The two approaches being compared are: 1) improving function by working with the child to improve his/her skills and abilities ("child-focused" approach) and 2) improving function by changing/adapting the task and/or environment around the child to improve his/her skills and abilities ("context-focused" approach). It is hypothesized that the context-focused approach will significantly improve activity and participation outcomes while leading to no significant decreases in body function and structure outcomes.

The study proposes to determine if injections of BTX-A to the hamstring muscles result in measurable physiologic changes not observed with normal saline injections in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy who walk with a flexed-knee gait pattern.

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders characterized by lack of coordination in the muscles, loss of movement, and speech disturbances. These disorders are caused by injuries to the brain that occur during fetal development or near the time of birth. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of high frequency, low magnitude vibration on bone and muscle in children with cerebral palsy.

In children with cerebral palsy, stiffness of the arm can develop early and delay or prevent the acquisition of normal hand skills. Improvement in functional use of the hand may therefore be dependent upon early treatment of upper extremity hypertonia. We propose to test a series of injections of Myobloc™ in a non-randomized one-way crossover pilot clinical trial and dose-finding study, with clinical assessments and blinded video evaluations. Ten children age 2-17 years with increased tone at the elbow or wrist will be expected to complete the study. A 1-month baseline evaluation period will be followed by an injection of low-dose Myobloc™ to affected muscle(s) of the arm according to standardized per-kilogram dosing with a maximum of 25U/kg in each affected arm. Three months later, a second injection of up to 50U/kg will be performed in each affected arm. Three months after the second dose, a third dose of up to 100U/kg will be performed in each affected arm. Neurological assessments will be performed at study entry, prior to each injection, and at 1 and 3 months following each injection. Routine physical therapy and non-study medications will be continued during the study.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-degenerative neuromuscular disease that can exist at or occur as a result of birth. Because of damage to one or more parts of the brain that control movement, an affected child cannot control his or her muscles normally. Prevalence of CP is similar worldwide, with pronounced severity in underdeveloped countries due to poor health and financial conditions. Research should be conducted to find methods of medical treatment to allow affected children to maintain or regain musculoskeletal functionality. Many children affected with CP spend much of their days restricted to a rigid wheelchair; limiting muscular and cognitive development, making it difficult to interact with their environment. The gap to be addressed by this study is to determine if a wheelchair that is based on the dynamics of human anatomy can allow enhanced function, while being adaptive to individual growth and development. At present, there is very little dynamic capability available in commercial wheelchairs to allow this mobility. A dynamic wheelchair system was recently designed and a small sample of able-bodied children has been tested in the chair. It is hypothesized that significant increases in functional mobility will be achieved in children with CP from the use of this novel wheelchair design.

Children with CP may have muscle weakness, changes in mobility, posture, muscle tone, motor coordination and deficits in postural control. These changes, individually or collectively, affect psychomotor function. As a result, activities that are performed quickly and readily by healthy children may be difficult and time-consuming for children with CP.