The purpose of this study was to provide experimental evidence and theoretical
background for the applicability of bilateral transfer paradigm to the rehabilitation
programs for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Children with hemiplegia, which
means unilateral motor disabilities, display abnormal motor and postural patterns of the
affected side due to hemiparesis, spasticity, and sensory disorders, resulting in a
decreased motor abilities of the affected side compared to unaffected side. Accordingly,
they tend to rely on the unaffected limb for everyday activities, which further
deteriorates the functions of the affected side by causing associated reaction, abnormal
postural patterns, and hypertonus. Rehabilitation programs developed for children with
hemiplegic cerebral palsy include neurodevelopmental treatment, application of cast or
splint to unaffected limb, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and task oriented model.
These programs, however, have several drawbacks, such as discontinuity in treatment
effect and psychological hatred to the force use of the affected side. In order to solve
these problems and enhance the efficiency of the rehabilitation programs, it is required
to maximize the use of the affected side without hatred. Characteristics of the control
system, such as temporal coupling and spatial assimilation between limbs and neural
crosstalk at different levels of central motor pathway, suggest that the bilateral transfer
paradigm may enhance the efficiency of the rehabilitation programs for children with
hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
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