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The relation between visual functions, functional vision, and bimanual function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Monica CrottiEls OrtibusNofar Ben ItzhakLize KleerenLisa DecraeneNicolas LeenaertsHilde FeysLisa Mailleux
Published in: Research in developmental disabilities (2024)
Previous findings showed that up to 62 % of children with unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP) present with visual impairment, which can further compromise their motor performance. However, the relation between visual and motor function has hardly been investigated in this population. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by comprehensively investigating the multi-level relation between the heterogenous spectrum of visual abilities and bimanual function in children with uCP. We found that mainly decreased visual perception was related to decreased bimanual dexterity, bimanual coordination, and functional hand use while impairments in functional vision were only related to decreased functional hand use. Additionally, elastic-net regression models showed that visual assessments can predict bimanual function in children with uCP, however, effect sizes were only tiny to small. With our study, we demonstrated a relation between visual functions and bimanual function in children with uCP. These findings suggest the relevance of thoroughly examining visual functions in children with uCP to identify the presence of visual impairments that may further compromise their bimanual function.
Keyphrases
  • cerebral palsy
  • young adults
  • systematic review