The development of anticipatory action planning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Hilde Krajenbrink; Ali Crichton; Bert Steenbergen; Brian Hoare

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.002

The development of anticipatory action planning in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

Res Dev Disabil. 2019 Feb:85:163-171. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.002. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Authors

Hilde Krajenbrink¹, Ali Crichton², Bert Steenbergen³, Brian Hoare⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
² Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Monash Children's Hospital, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
³ Behavioural Science Institute, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Australian Catholic University, School of Psychology, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia; School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3168, Australia; Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service, Monash Children's Hospital, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia. Electronic address: brianhoare@cpteaching.com.

PMID: 30557847
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2018.12.002

Abstract

Background Previous studies suggest that compromised bimanual performance experienced by children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) is not only due to difficulties in action execution but may also be a result of impaired anticipatory action planning. Aims The effect of age and side of hemiplegia were examined and the relationship between anticipatory action planning, unimanual capacity and bimanual performance was explored. Methods and procedures Using a multi-centre, prospective, cross-sectional observational design, anticipatory action planning was analyzed in 104 children with unilateral cerebral palsy, aged 6-12 years, using the sword task. Outcomes and results Anticipatory action planning did not improve with age in children with unilateral CP, aged between 6-12 years. No differences were found between children with left or right hemiplegia. Finally, anticipatory action planning was not related to unimanual capacity or bimanual performance. Conclusion and implications This study demonstrates anticipatory action planning, measured using the sword task, does not improve with age in children with unilateral CP and is not related to bimanual performance or laterality. Future studies of anticipatory action planning in children with unilateral CP should consider using measures that require effective anticipatory action planning for successful task completion rather than end state comfort.

Keywords: Anticipatory action planning; Bimanual performance; Cerebral palsy; Upper limb; motor planning.

Publication types

Observational Study

MeSH terms

Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology*
Child
Child Development*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hemiplegia / physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Motor Activity*
Motor Skills*
Prospective Studies