The effect of bimanuel training on occupational performance in a child with hemiparetic cerebral palsy: A case study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bimanual training on occupational performance in a child with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Material and Method: A child aged 12 years with CP was admitted to the study. To evaluate bimanual skills; Children's Hand Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ) was applied. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used to assess occupational performance of the child. Activities to improve bimanual skills for the treatment program seemed appropriate. During the intervention, selected bimanual activities were conducted for 8 weeks, one day per week for 90 minutes each day. Results: Child could independently perform 14 of the 29 activities requiring the use of two hands in the test parameters. Occupations that are considered to be important for the child are determined as ''fastening and adjusting clothing (i.e. button, zip or belt fastening), applying and removing personal devices and styling, brushing, and trimming hair'' respectively. The number of independent bimanual activities increased from 14 to 19. The bimanual training was effective in increasing bimanual daily living skills. Discussion: In hemiparetic cerebral palsy, bimanual activity training improves the child's abilities and increases the satisfaction with adaptation to daily life and occupational performance