Purpose
To determine how the affected hemiplegic hand and contralateral dominant hand in children
with hemiplegic cerebral palsy compare with age-matched norms for grip strength, pinch
strength, and dexterity.
Methods
We enrolled 37 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (26 boys; average age, 9.8
y). Grip and pinch strength and Box and Blocks Test for dexterity were measured in
both hands. Affected and contralateral hands results were analyzed and compared with
each other and with norms for age and sex.
Results
Affected hands had significantly less grip and pinch strength than the contralateral
hands. Subjects transported significantly fewer blocks in one minute with the Box
and Blocks Test (mean, 10.8 blocks) with the affected hand than the contralateral
hand. Compared with normative values, affected-side grip and pinch strengths were
significantly less, whereas contralateral hand grip and pinch strengths were similar.
Dexterity in both affected and contralateral hands was significantly less than normative
values. Decreased dexterity in the contralateral hand was correlated with decreased
nonverbal intelligence quotient.
Conclusions
Dexterity of the contralateral hand is diminished in children with hemiplegia. Assessment
of the contralateral hand may reveal opportunities for therapeutic intervention that
improve fine motor function.
Type of study/level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 06, 2015
Accepted:
December 29,
2014
Received:
June 11,
2014
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
