Sensory-Motor Relationship in Unilateral CP

February 17, 2026 updated by: Birkan Sonel Tur, Ankara University

The Relationship Between Sensory Impairments and Upper Extremity Motor Functions in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by many problems related to brain damage. One of these is sensory impairment. Sensory impairments in CP patients can also occur together with motor functions. Detecting sensory impairments (two-point discrimination, vibration, joint position sense, thermal sensation, stereognosis, graphesthesia) in the arm, forearm, and hand (upper extremity) in CP patients and investigating their relationship with motor functions is important. The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between upper extremity sensory impairments and motor functions in patients diagnosed with unilateral (affecting one half of the body) CP.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between sensory impairments and upper extremity motor functions in patients with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP). It will be planned as a cross-sectional study. The study will include 55 unilateral CP patients and 55 healthy volunteers. Sensory functions evaluated include two-point discrimination, joint position sense, vibration sense, thermal sense, stereognosis, and graphesthesia. Motor functions will be assessed using the Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFSS), Hand Skills Classification System (ESCS), Abilhand-Kids scale, Box and Block test, and Nine Hole Peg test. The relationship between sensory parameters and motor functions will be investigated.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

110

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) who meet the inclusion criteria and who apply to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Clinic or Outpatient Clinic of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, as well as healthy volunteers, will be included in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Children aged 15 with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP)
  • Being between Gross Motor Functional Classification System I-IV
  • Not having undergone surgery or botulinum toxin application to the affected upper extremity in the last 6 months
  • Understanding what is said and being able to follow commands
  • The patient or their relatives having completed an informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having a neurological disease affecting the motor and sensory system other than cerebral palsy
  • The participant having a dermatological, vascular, or orthopedic problem in the upper extremity that would prevent assessment
  • Having uncorrected vision and hearing problems
  • Having autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • Having insufficient intelligence level

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patient Group
Children aged 6-15 with unilateral (hemiplegic) cerebral palsy
Healthy Group
Healthy children aged 6-15

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sensory Function:Two-point discrimination
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Two-point discrimination is defined as the ability to distinguish between two simultaneous points of touch, which is most acute in areas of the skin with a high density of touch receptors, such as the fingers and face. The test will be performed using a discriminator device called an esthesiometer.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Sensory Function:Joint position sense
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Joint position sense is the ability to detect body segment position in space and is commonly used to represent proprioceptive performance.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Sensory Function:Vibration
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Assessment of vibration sense is the best clinical test of the dorsal column pathway. A low-frequency (128 Hz) tuning fork is applied to bony prominences and the patient (with closed eyes) is asked to report when the vibration starts and stops.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Sensory Function:thermal sense
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
The volunteer's upper extremity is successively touched with tubes filled with hot and cold water, and the volunteer is asked to respond as hot or cold. Thermal sensation is recorded as 'preserved', 'impaired', or 'unable to assess'.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Sensory Function:Stereognosis
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Without visual or auditory cues, objects are placed in a sequence, and the child is asked to grasp them and identify the name of the object. Each object is awarded '1' point for being correctly identified, and '0' points for not identifying it. Scores ranging from 0 to 6 are recorded.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Sensory Function:Graphesthesia
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Six different drawings-letters, numbers, circles, and vertical lines-are made on the palm of the volunteer's hand using a blunt pencil, without any visual or auditory stimuli. Each correct drawing earns '1' point, and each incorrect drawing earns '0' points. Scores ranging from 0 to 6 are recorded.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Motor Function: Gross Motor Functional Classification System
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
This classification system consists of 5 levels.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Motor Function: Hand Skills Classification System
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
This classification system consists of 5 levels.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Motor Function: Abilhand-Kids Scale
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Twenty-one daily activities were evaluated. Participants were asked to rate an activity-which the child attempted to perform independently using both upper extremities-on a scale of 0-42 points.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Motor Function: Nine Hole Peg Test
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
The Nine Hole Peg Test was developed to measure finger dexterity, also known as fine manual dexterity. The test consists of a wooden board with nine holes and nine small sticks designed to be inserted into those holes. The participant is asked to take the sticks from the box one by one with the hand being tested and insert them into the holes as quickly as possible; then, they must remove the sticks one by one and return them to the box.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
Motor Function: Box and Block Test
Time Frame: Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)
The Box and Block Test (BBT) measures unilateral gross manual dexterity. Participants are given 60 seconds to move wooden blocks by hand to the opposite compartment as quickly as possible. At the end of 60 seconds, the number of wooden blocks transferred to the opposite compartment is noted.
Single assessment at baseline (cross-sectional evaluation)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ankara University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Birkan Sonel Tur, Professor, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

September 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

November 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 24, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 17, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • İ07-512-24

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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