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REACH: study protocol of a randomised trial of rehabilitation very early in congenital hemiplegia

Congenital hemiplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy (CP). Children with unilateral CP show signs of upper limb asymmetry by 8 months corrected age (ca) but are frequently not referred to therapy until after 12 months ca. This study compares the efficacy of infant-friendly modified constraint-induced movement therapy (Baby mCIMT) to infant friendly bimanual therapy (Baby BIM) on upper limb, cognitive and neuroplasticity outcomes in a multisite randomised comparison trial.

Citation:
Boyd RN, Ziviani J, Sakzewski L, …… Elliott C, Greaves S, Guzzetta A, Whittingham K, Valentine J, Morgan C, et al. REACH: study protocol of a randomised trial of rehabilitation very early in congenital hemiplegia. BMJ Open. 2017;7(9):e017204.

Keywords:
Bimanual therapy; brain injury; cerebral palsy; congenital hemiplegia; constraint induced movement therapy; early intervention; infant

Abstract:
Congenital hemiplegia is the most common form of cerebral palsy (CP). Children with unilateral CP show signs of upper limb asymmetry by 8 months corrected age (ca) but are frequently not referred to therapy until after 12 months ca. This study compares the efficacy of infant-friendly modified constraint-induced movement therapy (Baby mCIMT) to infant friendly bimanual therapy (Baby BIM) on upper limb, cognitive and neuroplasticity outcomes in a multisite randomised comparison trial.