Intensive care protocol for infants with asymmetry

Abstract

Introduction: Injuries to the developing central nervous system can cause changes in muscle tone, coordination, and balance, as well as asymmetry of the upper limbs resulting in more obvious functional limitations in a body hemisphere and restriction in the social participation of children. Objective: Based on the principle that therapy is more effective when started at an early age, the objective of this study was to develop a modified CIMT protocol (Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy) in association with HABIT (Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy) and investigate the effects in infants with hemiparesis or asymmetry of upper limbs. Method: Five infants aged 6 to 24 months who presented asymmetry of the upper limbs participated in the study. The General and Objective Manual Evaluation of Infants (AMIGO) was used to evaluate the motor function of the upper limbs. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was carried out with the caregivers in order to evaluate their perception of the functional participation of the infant in daily tasks. All evaluations were performed before and immediately after the intervention, and 4 months after protocol development for follow-up recording. The data were analyzed descriptively and by means of analysis using the Jacobson-Truax method. Results: A significant increase in the spontaneous use of the more compromised upper limb was observed in infants with fine and gross motor tasks. Conclusion: The adapted protocol used toys and tasks appropriate to the age and was effective in producing a quantitative and qualitative increase in the use of the most compromised upper limb as well as in the unimanual and bimanual function.