Lycra arm splints in conjunction with goal-directed training can improve movement in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of lycra® arm splint wear on goal attainment and three dimensional (3D) kinematics of the upper limb and trunk in children with cerebral palsy (CP). DESIGN Randomised clinical trial whereby participants were randomised to parallel groups with waiting list control. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen children with CP (hypertonia) aged 9 to 14 years. INTERVENTION Three months lycra arm splint wear combined with goal directed training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Goal attainment scale, and 3D upper limb and trunk kinematics across four upper limb movement tasks. RESULTS 17/18 children achieved their movement goals following three months of splinting. Selected joint kinematics improved on immediate splint application. Further improvements in joint kinematics were demonstrated following 3 months of splint wear, particularly in elbow extension, shoulder flexion and abduction and in thorax flexion. Only improvements in movement compensations at the thorax remained following removal of the splint. CONCLUSIONS The lycra® arm splint, made a quantifiable change to the attainment of movement goals of importance to the child. Furthermore, improvements were demonstrated in selected maximum range of movement and joint kinematics during functional tasks at the elbow and shoulder joints and thorax segment in children with CP.