Implications of providing wrist-hand orthoses for children with cerebral palsy: Evidence from the Minimising Impairment randomised controlled trial

Children with CP are at risk of developing tightness in the muscles of the wrist and hand, which can lead to loss of movement. This can make it hard for children to use their hands for activities or for caregivers to manage caring tasks. Therapists traditionally give children with CP wrist-hand orthoses (splints) to wear at night. We think these orthoses gives a stretch to the hand that reduces muscle tightness and increases (passive) wrist movement, but we are not sure. The aim of this study was to find out. In this video, Prof. Christine Imms and Ms. Utsana Tonmukayakul share they key findings of this research.

Presenters:

Prof. Christine Imms is the Apex Australia Foundation Chair of Neurodevelopment and Disability at the University of Melbourne and Founding Director of Healthy Trajectories. Christine is an occupational therapist, academic and researcher and the Chief Investigator of the Minimising Impairment randomised controlled trial.

Ms. Utsana Tonmukayakul is a Research Fellow at Deakin Health Economics and a Research Associate. Utsana’s knowledge and skills lie in assessing the economic costs and benefits of health interventions as well as the impact of interventions on quality of life. As an investigator on the Minimising Impairment trial, Utsana has completed analyses looking at the costs, benefits and impacts on quality of life of providing wrist-hand orthoses to children with cerebral palsy.