Evaluation of Effectiveness of Modified Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Performed on Children with Cerebral Palsy by a Home-Treatment Program

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.