Background: The study of children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) has traditionally focused on motor aspects. The extent to which sensory processing disorders can affect their functional performance and quality of life (QoL) is uncertain. This study aimed to explore the differences in sensory processing between UCP and typical development (TD) children and to analyze the relationship of sensory processing with functional performance and QoL. Methods: Fifty-three children aged from 6 to 15 years (TD = 24; UCP = 29) were recruited. The Child Sensory Profile 2, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory—Computer Adaptive Test and Kidscreen were used to evaluate sensory processing, functional performance and QoL. Results: UCP children showed sensory processing difficulties (avoidance: p = 0.02; registration: p = 0.00; body position: p = 0.00; oral: p = 0.02; social-emotional: p = 0.01), and scored lower in functional performance (daily activities: p = 0.00; mobility: p = 0.00; social/cognitive: p = 0.04) and in physical well-being (p = 0.00). The highest correlations in UCP group were found between proprioceptive processing and daily activities and mobility (r = −0.39); auditory, visual and tactile information and school environment (r = −0.63; r = −0.51; r = −0.46); behavioral and social-emotional responses and psychological well-being (r = −0.64; r = −0.49). Conclusions: UCP children have greater difficulty in sensory processing than TD children. Difficulties in proprioceptive processing contribute to poorer functional performance. Auditory, visual and tactile processing is associated with participation in the school environment and behavioral and social-emotional responses related to sensory processing are associated with the psychological well-being.

This study aimed to examine motor performance and somatosensory processing of unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) children in both the less-affected hand and the more-affected hand. This study is also ...

Introduction: There is a lack of explicit tool recommendations for upper limb (UL) assessment in stroke, occupational therapists are frequently underrepresented in consensus studies, and the frequency of use of tools is highly variable between countries. The objective was to generate national occupational therapy consensus recommendations on UL assessment tools in stroke, and to classify the tools that achieve consensus according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) components. Methods: Three-round e-Delphi study of national scope. Occupational therapists working in Spain with training and experience in neurorehabilitation were recruited. Rounds were based on the completion of questionnaires on UL stroke assessment tools. Consensus was reached when ⩾75% of experts gave a ⩾7 rating on a nine-point Likert scale. Results: A total of 29 occupational therapists comprised the expert panel. Twenty-three (17.8%) assessment tools achieved consensus and were classified according to the ICF components of body functions and structures (7), activities (11), participation (3) and other (2). Conclusion: The expert panel recommended 23 outcome measures for UL recovery in stroke, representing all ICF components. The consensus recommendations are intended to assist occupational therapists in their clinical decision-making process, and to reduce the heterogeneity of research tools.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in affected upper limb functionality (grip strength, digital pinch, sensitivity, and manual dexterity) in women with breast cancer and to determine whether these factors can predict perceived disability. This study highlights the motor and sensory deficits resulting from breast cancer treatments and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing them. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 42 women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity were assessed, along with pain and disability questionnaires. Results: Significant differences were found in affected upper limb functionality according to age, employment status, and time since surgery. Grip strength, pinch strength, manual dexterity, and sensitivity were identified as predictors of perceived disability, explaining 92.15% of the variance in SPADI scores. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer experience functional deficits in the upper limb, particularly in strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity. Age, employment status, and time since surgery influence the perceived disability. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive upper limb evaluations to identify functional deficits and guide personalized rehabilitation strategies.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is the third leading cause of death in Spain. The disability derived from ABI can include considerable difficulties in upper-limb use due to somatosensory deficits. One of the assessments most commonly used to evaluate ABI is the Nottingham Sensory Assessment (NSA); however, there is no complete psychometric analysis or standardized version in Spanish. We aimed to develop and validate a Spanish version of the stereognosis component of the NSA for evaluating Spanish adults with ABI via a single-center, observational, cross-sectional study. The Spanish version of the NSA was developed in two steps. The first was based on the standardization and collection of normative data in 120 asymptomatic participants. For the second, we recruited 25 participants with ABI to establish concurrent criterion-related validity, internal consistency, and floor/ceiling effects. Criterion validity was assessed against two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests. Our normative data showed significant differences among the various age groups (p < 0.05), supporting the validity of the Spanish-version assessment. For the ABI sample, we also found further evidence of validity with Spearman’s rho coefficient between the total scores and the two-point discrimination and tactile-localization tests, which showed low and moderate correlations (rho = 0.50–0.75, p < 0.05). Internal consistency was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91. No ceiling or floor effects were found. We conclude that the stereognosis component of the NSA in its Spanish version is a valid scale that can be used to comprehensively and accurately assess stereognosis capacity in adults with ABI. As a low-cost evaluation, this assessment has great potential to be widely used in clinical practice and research settings.

Objective: Among solid tumours, medulloblastoma is the most common of the posterior fossa neoplasms, given that it represents 15%-20% of childhood brain tumours. The main aim of the present study was to assess the effects of action observation training on the activities of daily living (ADL) and the manipulation skills of children with acquired brain injury secondary to an oncological process. Methods: We recruited a consecutive convenience sample of 5 patients diagnosed with acquired brain injury secondary to an oncological process. ADL and manipulation skills were assessed using the ABILHAND-Kids and Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, respectively. After conducting the initial evaluation, we planned the intervention, which lasted 10 weeks and consisted of 40 sessions for each participant, 10 in the occupational therapy department and 30 at home. After completing the intervention, we re-evaluated the main variables. Results: Overall, the results of the postintervention ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire showed a 5-point improvement, with a statistically significant difference and a large effect size. Eighty per cent of the sample showed better results in the total score, with differences between 4 and 8 points. In relation to manual dexterity, as measured by the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, there were no significant changes, except in one of the participants. Conclusion: It appears that action observation training can elicit positive changes with respect to the development of ADL, but the influence on manual dexterity was almost nonexistent.