Upper Extremity Dysfunction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently impairs upper extremity motor control and hand function, resulting in limitations in daily activities. Mirror therapy is a low-cost, easy-to-implement intervention that promotes motor learning by stimulating cortical reorganization and neuroplasticity. This randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of mirror therapy on upper extremity function, selective motor control, hand function, hand grip strength, and manual dexterity in children with hemiparetic CP. Twenty-six children with hemiparetic CP will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving mirror therapy combined with conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham mirror therapy combined with the same conventional physiotherapy program. The intervention will be administered over an 8-week period. Baseline assessments will include the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Outcome measures collected before and after the intervention will include the Selective Control of the Upper Extremity Scale (SCUES), ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire, hand grip strength measured with the Jamar dynamometer, and manual dexterity assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test. The study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of mirror therapy beyond conventional physiotherapy by using a sham-controlled design and to contribute to the development of standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for improving upper extremity function in children with hemiparetic CP.

The goal of this prospective, open-label cohort study is to assess functional outcomes in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who have undergone nerve transfer surgery to restore upper limb function. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does nerve transfer improve hand function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury? * What factors are associated with functional improvement following nerve transfer? Researchers will compare functional outcomes at 24 months post-surgery to 1) baseline outcomes and 2) individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who did not undergo nerve transfer. Participants who have received nerve transfer surgery as part of their regular medical care will complete functional hand tests, electrodiagnostic assessments, and questionnaires on independence and mood every 3 months for 24 months after surgery.

This pilot mixed-method study will evaluate the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and user experience of a home-based wearable Focal Vibration Therapy (FVT) intervention for improving upper extremity (UEx) function in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifteen adults with relapsing-remitting MS (PRMS) and self-reported UEx impairments will participate in a 4-week FVT program using MyovoltTM wearable FVT devices applied to arm muscles.

Upper extremity impairment in hemiplegic patients significantly impacts daily activities and reduces quality of life. Although traditional rehabilitation methods can help, some patients experience limited progress. Recently, modern techniques such as mirror therapy and virtual reality (VR) have emerged, demonstrating promising results in motor skill improvement. This study aims to directly compare the acute effects of mirror therapy and VR therapy on upper limb motor function in hemiplegic patients. Forty-two participants aged 18-75 with hemiplegia due to stroke (6-12 months post-stroke) will be randomly assigned to either mirror therapy or VR therapy. The evaluation includes motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), activities of daily living (Barthel Index), fine motor skills (Box and Block Test), proprioception, and reaction time. The goal is to identify the effectiveness of the mirror therapy and VR therapy on motor function, spasticity control, proprioception, daily activity performance, and reaction times, contributing valuable insights to clinical rehabilitation practices.

To evaluate the usefulness of an upper extremity assistive device, called (MyoPro) in improving upper extremity activities in people with incomplete spinal cord injury. The Department of Defense is supporting this study.

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of a trunk and upper extremities exercise program. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether the program decreases compensation patterns in unilateral cerebral palsy children Whether the program decreases pain in unilateral cerebral palsy children Whether the program improves bimanual ability in unilateral cerebral palsy children Participants will undertake and 8-week program exercise at home If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare with the control group to see if this program decreases compensation patterns.