Improving arm movement skills in children with hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

If you would like to take part in or know more about this research into mirror therapy, please contact us.

 

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects a child's movement control and co-ordination, due to damage to the brain in the period before or just after birth. In spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy movement is hampered by involuntary contractions of the muscles (spasms) at one side of the body (mainly the limbs).

Recent evidence suggests that mirror therapy may reduce muscle co-contraction and thus improve arm mobility in children with Cerebral Palsy. For this therapy you place a mirror vertically on a table, perpendicular to the chest of the child. The child then places (say) the left affected arm at the left side of the mirror and the unaffected right arm at the right side. After a while the child will get the impression that the mirror reflection of the unaffected side represents the left arm. Therapy exploiting this illusion has shown promising results in people suffering from complex regional pain syndrome or one-sided paralysis after stroke.

At the Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health (Manchester Metropolitan University) we are investigating the mirror-box illusion. With help from Sparks we want to assess the effects and underlying mechanisms of mirror therapy.

We are always looking to expand our network. If you would like to take part in or know more about this research, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dr. Alex Benham – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Tel: 0161 247 5470)

Dr. Frederik Deconinck – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Tel: 0161 247 5532)