Measurement of the Z boson differential cross section in transverse momentum and rapidity in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV

Peer reviewe

Effects of botulinum toxin type A on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Contains fulltext : 50246.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether botulinum toxin type A injections improve upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: An extensive search was carried out in PUBMED, CINAHL, PICARTA, EMBASE, PEDRO and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Controlled and uncontrolled studies were included and evaluated on the basis of a best evidence synthesis. RESULTS: Twelve out of 645 identified studies were included: three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (N=64) of high methodological quality, and nine uncontrolled studies (N=107) of sufficient methodological quality. In one of the three RCTs a short-term, significant decrease of spasticity was found in favour of the botulinum toxin type A group, which was supported by five of the seven uncontrolled studies that also measured spasticity. In one RCT significant changes in range of motion were reported for wrist and thumb extension. This finding was supported by two out of seven uncontrolled studies. One RCT reported a significant improvement in activities after one month, according to the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test and the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory, whereas five out of the nine uncontrolled studies reported an improvement in functional activities. CONCLUSION: Insufficient evidence is found for the effects of botulinum toxin type A injections to reduce spasticity or to increase range of motion and upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Besides differences in treatment goals, the lack of evidence is mainly due to the use of invalid assessment instruments and insufficient statistical power to demonstrate treatment effects

Selective dorsal rhizotomy in cerebral palsy to improve functional abilities: evaluation of criteria for selection

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on functional abilities in a well-defined group of ambulatory children with spastic diplegia. Methods: Nine children were selected for SDR (mean age 65 months, range 43-82 months). Gross motor function was measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88). Self-care was assessed with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and gait pattern was measured with the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EGS). There were nine single-case research designs with a 12-month follow-up after surgery. Results: After 12 months the mean improvement in the total GMFM-88 scores was 8.8%. On an individual level, all patients improved significantly in comparison with baseline. Functional skills and care-giver assistance measured with the PEDI showed significant improvement. Improvement in gait was also found; in particular, better initial contact and heel-lift resulted in an increased EGS. Conclusion: In this well-defined group of ambulatory children SDR had a small but significant positive effect on gross motor function, self-care and gait pattern. © Springer-Verlag 2005