Use of Surface Electromyography Biofeedback to Improve Reaching in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Children ages newborn to 21 with a diagnosis of arm weakness, hypertonia, or hyperkinesia
due to cerebral palsy will be recruited. A muscle that is either over-active or
under-active will be selected for each child. The child will be provided with the device to
wear for 1 month in order to call attention to the identified muscle. At the beginning and
end of the month, reaching will be assessed using three-dimensional kinematic motion
capture. The outcome measure will be the speed and curvature of reaching to a target in
front of the child.

Inclusion Criteria:

- weakness, hypertonia, or hyperkinetic disorder affecting one or both arms

- reduced speed or quality of reaching

Exclusion Criteria:

- any condition that would increase the risk of participation