Impact of Sensory Impairments on Movement in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit impairments in movement. Previously, efforts to understand and ameliorate these movement deficits in children with CP have focused largely on the motor system. However, the Friel Lab has demonstrated that sensory impairments play a key role in movement, as accurate movement requires precise integration of sensory and motor information. In this newly funded project, the Friel Lab will examine sensorimotor integration in children with CP, using a combination of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, kinematic, and functional measures. This work will build a foundation from which specific sensory-motor therapies can be designed.