05/11/2025
✨ Why Early Monitoring and Upper limb Splinting and Range Of Movement Review Matters for Children with Cerebral Palsy ✨
Did you know that about 1 in 3 children with cerebral palsy develop some “contracture” or loss passive range of movement in their arms or hands as they grow? (Graff et al., 2018)
That might sound worrying but monitoring through a OT upper limb CPIPS pathway assessment can make a difference when we spot it early allowing for body structure and function interventions such as medical management, botulinum toxin or upper limb splinting. Ideally upper limb range review every six monthly in the under sixes and then yearly from there on in.
Researchers found that passive range of movement changes often start before school age. Children who find hand use more challenging are more likely to show early tightness (those with a higher MACS manual ability score)
But remember monitoring of range is only part of the support; it is also important to engage in early activity and participation interventions. Depending upon your child’s needs this may be early modified constraint induced movement therapy, bimanual intensive therapy or goal oriented intervention.
What can you do:
• Seek support on how to support your child to use both hands in play and everyday tasks.
• Notice if your child’s arm or hand seems harder to move and mention it to your therapy or medical team.
• Ask about regular range-of-movement checks or ‘OT CPIPS Assessment’
Remember range is one part of your child’s journey and activity and participation interventions are more powerful at leading to your child using their skills in daily activities!
📖 Based on research by Graff et al. (2018): Upper-limb contracture development in children with cerebral palsy a population-based study
📖 https://cpup.se/in-english/publications-in-english/
