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Toward Improved Evaluation, Treatment, and Management of Movement Disorders and...
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Toward Improved Evaluation, Treatment, and Management of Movement Disorders and Cognitive Impairments in People with Cerebral Palsy

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1827

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Elegast Monbaliu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Technology Lab, KU Leuven, Bruges, Belgium
Interests: cerebral palsy; complex movement disorders; rehabilitation technology; instrumented measurements; rehabilitation interventions; powered wheelchair mobility; computer accessibility; eye tracking
Dr. Saranda Bekteshi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Neurorehabilitation Technology Lab, KU Leuven, Bruges, Belgium
Interests: cerebral palsy; neurorehabilitation; assistive technology; eye tracking; powered wheelchair mobility; executive functions

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common childhood-onset disabilities, characterized by motor and non-motor impairments of varying severity. Due to its heterogeneity, evaluating, treating and managing the myriad of symptoms associated with cerebral palsy remains challenging. Evidence-based knowledge to inform clinical practice is paramount to the quest of facilitating a fulfilling life with the greatest independence possible.

This Special Issue aims to report a collection of high-quality research in the field of cerebral palsy, conducted in the last 5-years, using state-of-the-art methodology to explore questions associated with evaluation, treatment and/or management. Topics of interest include, among others, novel methods to reliably assess motor- and non-motor impairments, medical and rehabilitation interventions in paediatric and adult populations, technology solutions to increased activity and participation levels, telehealth, wearables, neuroimaging techniques and artificial intelligence.

Prof. Dr. Elegast Monbaliu
Dr. Saranda Bekteshi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • cerebral palsy
  • movement disorders
  • cognition
  • technology
  • artificial intelligence
  • wearables
  • neuroimaging
  • telehealth

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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22 pages, 983 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Gaze Fixations and Shifts in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Comparison of Computer- and Object-Based Approaches
by Tom Griffiths, Michael T. Clarke and John Swettenham
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(7), 2326; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072326 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 301
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gaze behaviours, such as fixation on single objects, and switching gaze between two objects are important for signaling messages, making choices or controlling a computer for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and similar movement disabilities. Observing these behaviours can be challenging [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Gaze behaviours, such as fixation on single objects, and switching gaze between two objects are important for signaling messages, making choices or controlling a computer for children with cerebral palsy (CP) and similar movement disabilities. Observing these behaviours can be challenging for clinicians, with a lack of agreement on how they can be objectively quantified or rated. Methods: This study compares two methods of eliciting and observing gaze behaviours: a computer presentation using an eye tracker and an object presentation scored by two independent observers in order to explore the utility of each to clinicians working in this area. Children with CP (n = 39) attempted single-target fixation (STF) and target–target fixation shift (TTFS) tasks using both presentations and the results were compared. Results: Six children were unable to calibrate the eye tracker to the accuracy level required. Significantly higher scores for both STF (81.3% object presentation and 30.3% computer presentation, p < 0.01) and TTFS (70.1% and 26.9%, p < 0.01) were seen on the object presentation, with children’s performance not predicted by developmental age, severity of CP or presence or absence of strabismus. It is not possible to definitively state which method gives the “correct” result; however, the difference in reported success rate merits further discussion. Conclusions: Whilst eye tracking may present an “entry barrier” for some children in terms of its accuracy and calibration requirements, object presentation carries with it the risk of over-interpreting children as having fixated. Conversely, eye tracking may be better at recording fixations in children with strabismus, where object-based paradigms may offer more flexible administration for clinicians. The variability in children’s performance on both presentations underlines the risk of assuming these skills to be present and the importance of assessing gaze behaviours in individual children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Improved Evaluation, Treatment, and Management of Movement Disorders and Cognitive Impairments in People with Cerebral Palsy)
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15 pages, 1622 KiB  
Case Report
Is Whole-Body Cryostimulation Useful in Modulating Spasticity in Adults with Cerebral Palsy? A Case Study
by Paolo Piterà, Matteo Bigoni, Elisa Prina, Boris Barrera, Duru Ceren Yavuz, Federica Verme, Jacopo Maria Fontana, Lorenzo Priano, Alessandro Mauro and Paolo Capodaglio
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(24), 7674; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13247674 - 16 Dec 2024
Viewed by 936
Abstract
Background: This case study investigates the effect of a five-session whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) cycle on a 55-year-old female patient with cerebral palsy (CP) and lower limb spasticity (LLS) with a typical diplegic gait pattern. CP is a common physical disability characterized by [...] Read more.
Background: This case study investigates the effect of a five-session whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) cycle on a 55-year-old female patient with cerebral palsy (CP) and lower limb spasticity (LLS) with a typical diplegic gait pattern. CP is a common physical disability characterized by motor impairments, including spasticity, which significantly impacts mobility and quality of life. The current treatments for spasticity often have limited efficacy and considerable side effects, making alternative therapies like WBC an area of interest. Methods: The patient underwent a 10-day inpatient rehabilitation program integrated with five WBC sessions at −110 °C for 2 min. The treatment effects were assessed immediately before and after the five WBC sessions using the Ashworth Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, H-reflex test, and gait analysis. Psychosocial outcomes were measured with the SF-36, WHO-5, PSQI, ESS, and BDI questionnaires. Results: Immediately after the WBC cycle, gait analysis showed increased walking speed (0.48 to 0.61 m/s left; 0.49 to 0.57 m/s right) and step length (0.30 to 0.38 m left; 0.30 to 0.35 m right). The H/M ratio in the H-reflex test improved, indicating a better neuromuscular efficiency. Psychosocial assessments revealed a 42.5% reduction in pain and a 24% improvement in overall quality of life and well-being. Discussion and Conclusions: The objective improvements in gait parameters and neuromuscular modulation, along with the subjectively reported enhancements in functional abilities, highlight the potential of WBC as a valuable addition to rehabilitation strategies for this population. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toward Improved Evaluation, Treatment, and Management of Movement Disorders and Cognitive Impairments in People with Cerebral Palsy)
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