The REINVENT-PT Lab at UConn is recruiting children with hemiplegia (i.e., weakness of one side of their body) between 3 and 8 years to participate in a research study that will compare the effects of 2 types of play-based interventions (SPEED and CRAFT) to improve affected arm function in children. The SPEED group (Strength and Power in upper Extremities through Exploratory Driving) will receive training using powered ride-on-toys operated with a single joystick provided on the child’s affected side. The CRAFT group (Creative Rehabilitation for Arm Function Training) will receive playful creative activities to improve strength and flexibility in the affected arm and hand. The interventions will last for 6 weeks and training will be provided 2 times each week in the child’s home or within their community. Caregivers will also be trained to provide 2 additional sessions each week.
The results of the study will help us understand if playful home-based training programs can help improve strength and function in the affected arm in children with hemiplegia. The study also has the potential to impact rehabilitation practice for children with upper extremity movement difficulties.
In return for your participation, you and your child will receive a gift card worth 100 dollars.
For more information about the study, please contact:
Dr. Sudha Srinivasan, Director, REINVENT-PT (REhabilitation INnoVative & Emerging Novel Technologies in Physical Therapy)
Lab Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut
Phone: 860-486-6192 OR Email: sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu
BRANY IRB #: 23-10-800-910
For more information, contact: Dr. Sudha Srinivasan at 860-486-6192 or sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu