Effect of Home-based Bimanual Training in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy (The COAD-study): A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the child- and parent-related effects of home-based bimanual training in children with unilateral cerebral palsy. Methods: Case series of 14 children (2–7 years) who completed goal-oriented task-specific training for 3.5 hours/week for 12 weeks by a program adopting implicit (n = 5) or explicit (n = 9) motor learning. A therapist and remedial educationalist coached parents. Progression on bimanual goals (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)) and therapy-related parental stress (interviews) were of primary interest. Data were collected at baseline (T0), halfway through and at the end of training (T1 and T2), and after 12 weeks (T3). Results: On the COPM performance scale a clinically relevant change was seen in 50% (7/14), 86% (12/14), and 85% (11/13) of the children, at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Some parents indicated that they had experienced stress because of the training intensity. Conclusion: The child- and parent-related effects of the home-based bimanual training programs are encouraging.