New Perspectives in the Rehabilitation of Children With Motor Disorders : the Role of the Mirror Neuron System

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hemiplegia; Cerebral Palsy
• Interventions: Other: action observation therapy; Other: repetition of gestures

• Registration Number: NCT01016496
• Lead Sponsor: Stefania Costi

Brief Summary

Evidence exists that the activation of actions activates the same cortical motor areas that are involved in the performance of the observed actions. The neural substrate for this phenomena is the mirror neuron system. It is generally assumed that mirror neurons have a basic role in understanding the intentions of others and in imitation learning. There is evidence that action observation has a positive effect on rehabilitation of motor disorders after stroke. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that action observation followed by the repetition of the actions previously observed has a positive impact on rehabilitation of the upper limb in children affected by hemiplegia as a consequence of Cerebral Palsy. In particular, the purpose is to assess if mirror neurons could improve the amount, the quality and the velocity of movements and the cooperation between the two upper extremities.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-09
• Study First Submitted: 2009-11-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-11-18
• Study First Posted: 2009-11-19
• Primary Completion: 2010-05
• Study Completion: 2010-11
• Status Verified: 2014-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-06-23
• Last Update Posted: 2014-06-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• children with hemiplegia and
• Melbourne assessment > 50 points

Exclusion Criteria

• inability to collaborate
• pharmacoresistant epilepsy
• inability to imitate gestures
• sensitivity disorders

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Action observation plus repetition	action observation therapy	Observation of actions and repetition of the same actions
repetition only	repetition of gestures	repetition of gestures

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Melbourne Assessment of unilateral limb function	T0=baseline, Tend (week three) , T2(two months) T6months (six months after the completion of the training)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Jebsen-Taylor	T0, Tend, T2, T6
Abilhand emikids	T0, Tend, T2, T6
Assisting Hand Assessment	T0, Tend, T2, T6

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

IRCCS Stella Maris; 🇮🇹 Pisa, Italy

Hospital of Parma; 🇮🇹 Parma, Italy

Azienda Santa Maria Nuova -; 🇮🇹 Reggio Emilia, Italy