Comparing Unimanual and Bimanual Training in Upper Extremity Function in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: This systematic review compared intensive bimanual therapy (IBT) and modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) in upper limb function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Four electronic databases were searched from 2009 through October 2015 for randomized control trials comparing IBT with mCIMT. Results: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria; 5 randomized clinical trials with 221 participants with unilateral CP, ages 1.5 to 16 years, who received the intervention in a day camp, clinical, or preschool setting were included. The IBT group performed bimanual motor activities; the mCIMT group performed unilateral motor activities. Conclusion: There was a strong, nonspecific recommendation for either approach to improve quality of unimanual movement, bimanual capacity, and movement efficiency. There was a weak, specific recommendation for IBT in improving movement quality and a specific but weak recommendation favoring IBT to improve the child's performance on parent-reported outcomes.