| dc.description.abstract | Mirror movements (MM) are common in children with unilateral
spastic cerebral palsy (USCP). In the clinic and in research, MM are most often
assessed qualitatively using the scoring system proposed by Woods and Teuber
(W&T), whereas quantification of MM is more rarely reported - probably since it
has been dependent on special equipment.
AIM: This study investigated, whether computer based video analysis could be
used to quantify MM.
METHOD: 37 children and adolescents with CP, and 22 typically developing (TD)
children and adolescents were instructed to perform hand movements while their
hands were video-recorded. The films were used to assess MM qualitatively using
the score according to W&T. In addition, the movements of the passive hand were
quantified using computer based video analysis.
RESULTS: 25 (68%) of the participants with USCP had MMs in their non-affected,
and 22 (59%) had MM in their affected hand when movements were performed at
slow speed. At fast speed, 26 (70%) had MM in their non-affected, and 27 (73%)
had MM in their affected hand as assessed with W&T. Among the TD participants,
6 (27%) had MM in their dominant hand, and 4 (18%) had MM in their nondominant
had assessed with the score according to W&T when movements were
performed at fast speed. One (5%) had MM in the non-dominant hand, and none
had MM in the dominant hand when movements were perfomed at slow speed. Boxplots
and correlation analyses suggested that quantity of motion (QoM) mean was
the variable from the computer based analysis that was most suitable as a proxy
for MM. In the total population including TD participants the correlation of QoM
mean with W&T scores was moderate to good as indicated by correlation coeffcients
between 0.59-0.74 (p < 0.01). Within the group of participants with USCP,
correlation coeffcients ranged between 0.70 and 0.88 (p < 0.01). Particular high
correlation coefficients (0.70 - 0.88) were observed among participants where the
setup of the video-recordings was strictly adhered to. The correlations were lower
in the subsample of participants with USCP, where deviations from this setup were
observed. Height and width of motion (HoM and WoM) standard deviation had
correlation coefficients 0.63 -0.76 (p < 0.01). For the above mentioned subgroup of
participants, the correlation coefficients were 0.72-0.84 (p < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: We found a moderate to good correlation between the computer
based video analysis and the clinical assessment, suggesting that this method may
be used to assess MM quantitatively. However, the method seems to be sensitive to
deviations in setup of the video recordings. | nb_NO |
