Bimanual coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

ndividuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) have largely unilateral impairments in upper extremity movement. They often avoid engaging in certain bimanual activities, and despite the fact that compensatory strategies may be functional, they often lack efficiency. This chapter starts with a description of the development of bimanual coordination and the motor-related constraints (temporal and spatial) under which such actions are performed. Subsequently, an overview of experimental studies on bimanual movement performance in children with hemiplegic CP is provided. Finally, recent advances in rehabilitation that aim to improve bimanual coordination and thereby the performance activities of daily living are discussed. This is illustrated by preliminary findings of a new intervention for children that focuses on coordination of both hands together, the Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Training (HABIT