The recovery of gait, gross motor proficiency, and hand function was examined in 23 children (13 males, 10 females; age 4 years 7 months to 15 years 10 months) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) over five months of in patient rehabilitation. We used gait analysis, the Gross Motor Function Measure, the Developmental Hand Function Test, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Brain injury had been severe (initial Glasgow Coma Scale GCS <8) in 17 children and moderate (GCS 8-10) in six children. Compared with healthy control children of the same age and sex, repeated gait analyses in ambulatory children with brain injury showed significant reductions of velocity, stride length and cadence, and impaired balance. Spatiotemporal gait variables were correlated with Gross Motor Function Measure scores. Hand function tests revealed deficits in fine motor skills, speed, and coordination. Degree of impairment increased with trauma severity. Despite significant improvements, differences in gait velocity, stride length, and hand function of children with brain injuries and controls were still present about 8 months after TBI. Hand motor skills improved less than gait. Young age at injury was not associated with better recovery.

The recovery of gait, gross motor proficiency, and hand function was examined in 23 children (13 males, 10 females; age 4 years 7 months to 15 years 10 months) with traumatic brain injury (TBI) over five months of in patient rehabilitation. We used gait analysis, the Gross Motor Function Measure, the Developmental Hand Function Test, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Brain injury had been severe (initial Glasgow Coma Scale GCS <8) in 17 children and moderate (GCS 8–10) in six children. Compared with healthy control children of the same age and sex, repeated gait analyses in ambulatory children with brain injury showed significant reductions of velocity, stride length and cadence, and impaired balance. Spatiotemporal gait variables were correlated with Gross Motor Function Measure scores. Hand function tests revealed deficits in fine motor skills, speed, and coordination. Degree of impairment increased with trauma severity. Despite significant improvements, differences in gait velocity, stride length, and hand function of children with brain injuries and controls were still present about 8 months after TBI. Hand motor skills improved less than gait. Young age at injury was not associated with better recovery.

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The aim of this study was to characterize impairments of hand function in individuals with myelomeningocele (MMC) using a quantitative method. A grip‐lift task was studied in 29 individuals with MMC (17 females, 12 males; mean age 12 years 4 months, SD 5 years 6 months; range 4 to 28 years) and 29 age‐ and sex‐matched control participants. A small object (weight 200g) was grasped and lifted with a precision grip of the dominant hand and grip forces (GF) and time intervals were measured. Sensibility was examined with a two‐point discrimination test. In those with MMC, the latency between GF onset of the thumb and index finger and ensuing preload duration were both significantly prolonged (p<0.01). Fingertip forces were excessively high and variable. Several parameters differed significantly between those with MMC and control individuals: GF peak, GF at start of loading, mean GF, and the SDs of the GF during static holding. Although the two‐point discrimination task indicated deficits of sensibility, these did not correlate with grip force parameters. Results demonstrate that fine motor skills in patients with MMC are impeded by slowness and inadequate adjustments of manipulative forces.

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