Positive and Negative Motor Signs of Head Motion in Cerebral Palsy: Assessment of Impairment and Task Performance

Abstract

Abstract-This paper analyzes the presence of positive and negative motor signs in people with cerebral palsy (CP). Positive motor signs are those that lead to involuntarily increased frequency or magnitude of muscle activity. Negative motor signs describe insufficient muscle activity or insufficient control of muscle activity. In this paper, a head-mounted alternative computer interface based on inertial technology was used to assess motor signs in seven users with CP. Task performance and control of posture was related to the impairment. There are no significant differences between users with CP and healthy control participants in the frequency domain of the head movement. Results suggest that this kind of motor disorders is not related to positive motor signs. Moreover, a control mode based on posture more than on movements is not optimum; an alternative control mode must be specially designed for users with poor postural control.

Concurrent Validity and Reliability of an Inertial Measurement Unit for the Assessment of Craniocervical Range of Motion in Subjects with Cerebral Palsy

“…The exception found for the rotational plane may be due to the location of the transverse plane, where rotational movements are included, and which is perpendicular to the sagittal and frontal planes, where flexion-extension and side-bending movements are included, respectively. Flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, and left lateral flexion of the cervical spine, when originated from the neutral position, are performed in the direction of the force of gravity, making these easier to perform and, consequently, easier to reproduce in a homogenous fashion, compared to rotations, which require a continuous balance against gravity, an action which is compromised in CP [13]. Indeed, the lower validity of the results concerning the rotational plane has been consistently reported in healthy adult subjects [53], thus highlighting the significant challenge related to the measurement of ROM in rotational plane movements.…”

“…Furthermore, certain disorders affecting the senses can lead to unusual head movements and these alterations of the head movements can in turn further affect the senses [11,12]. In addition, it is suggested that the evaluation of motor disorders should not be centered only on posture, but also on the analysis of movement [13]. All of the above increases the need for valid and reliable methods to study cervical movement in patients with CP.…”

“…Their use in neurological diseases includes balance assessments in multiple sclerosis [23,24], Parkinsonian tremor [25,26], or range of motion (ROM) in stroke [27]. Nevertheless, further studies are necessary to confirm the clinical and predictive importance of measurements with IMUs [13,23]. Additionally, future research is required to support this validity with other tools [28] in pediatric pathologies [18,29].…”

Metodología de Evaluación de Eye-trackers como Dispositivos de Acceso Alternativo para Personas con Parálisis Cerebral

“…Para este experimento, el rango del ID se estableció entre 1,00 y 2,60 bits, en pasos de 0,20 bits. Esta gama de valores cubre los índices de dificultad de las tareas de apuntamiento que habitualmente se realizan con el ordenador (Velasco et al, 2016). Para cada uno de estos ID hemos definido los valores de A y W, Tabla 3.…”

“…Sin embargo, la población es similar a la de trabajos equivalentes publicados en la literatura: un participante en (Käthner, Kübler, & Halder, 2015), siete participantes en (Ding, Rodriguez, Cooper, & Riviere, 2015), y siete participantes en (Velasco et al, 2016). Existe una gran dificultad para realizar sesiones regulares con este tipo de usuarios dadas su limitada disponibilidad.…”