Correlation of motor function and stereognosis impairment in upper limb cerebral palsy

Purpose: To correlate motor function, as measured by the Jebsen-Taylor test, and sensory function, as measured by the 12-object stereognosis testing, in the hands of children with spastic hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy. Methods: A chart review identified children with hemiplegic and triplegic cerebral palsy with stereognosis and Jebsen-Taylor testing between 1997 and 2008. Forty-one children were included in the study, including 22 girls and 19 boys, with an average age of 8.7 years (range, 6-16 years). The right side is affected in 23 children; 34 children have hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and 7 have triplegic cerebral palsy. The initial Jebsen-Taylor and stereognosis test results were recorded for each subject, as well as age, diagnosis, affected side, and prior treatment with hand therapy, botulinum toxin injection, or surgery. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, paired t-tests, and correlation measurements were used for analysis of the data. Results: Statistically significant inverse correlations exist between the cards, small objects, checkers, light objects, and heavy objects on the Jebsen-Taylor subtests, as correlated with the stereognosis scores in the affected hand (p ≤ 0.04). The stereognosis scores for the patients who were not able to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand were significantly lower than those who were able to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand (p =.04). The stereognosis scores were significantly lower for the affected side as compared with the contralateral side. The Jebsen-Taylor total test times were significantly longer for the affected side as compared with the contralateral side (p <.001). Conclusions: In children with hemiplegic and triplegic cerebral palsy, the impairment of stereognosis is correlated with impairment in motor function, and the inability to complete the Jebsen-Taylor test with the affected hand is associated with impaired stereognosis function.