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Quantitative assessment of mirror movements in children and adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2000

Johann P Kuhtz-Buschbeck ,
Lena Krumlinde Sundholm ,
Ann-Christin Eliasson  and
Hans Forssberg
Johann P Kuhtz-Buschbeck
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Motoriklab Q2:07, S 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
Lena Krumlinde Sundholm
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Motoriklab Q2:07, S 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
Ann-Christin Eliasson
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Motoriklab Q2:07, S 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
Hans Forssberg
Affiliation:
Department of Woman and Child Health, Karolinska Institute, Astrid Lindgrens Children's Hospital, Motoriklab Q2:07, S 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract

Mirror movements in individuals with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) may result from a reorganization of the central sensorimotor system. Motor performances of both hands were measured to characterize mirror activity (or mirroring) and hand functions in 22 participants (6 to 18 years) with hemiplegic CP and in 17 control participants. During a unimanual repetitive squeezing task, contractions of the active hand and fingertip forces of the opposite hand were recorded simultaneously. In the control group, slight mirror activity (or mirroring) was found that decreased with age. In participants with CP, mirror activity was 15 times stronger than in the control group, and was found at all age levels. Mirroring was more prominent in the unaffected hand of the CP group. The amount of mirror activity was not related to the degree of hemiplegia, which was assessed with measures of spasticity, strength, and dexterity. Mirror movements disturbed functional bimanual skills, although to some extent they could be suppressed by voluntary effort.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology , Volume 42 , Issue 11 , November 2000 , pp. 728 - 736
Copyright
2000 Mac Keith Press

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