Effects of a Novel, Home-based Training Program Using a Joystick-operated, Modified, Powered Ride-on-car on Bilateral Upper Extremity Function in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

The training program will involve a set of activities where children will be encouraged to drive a joystick-operated ride-on-toy to navigate through their physical environment. The training will involve will involve progressively challenging multi-directional navigational games such as shape mazes, treasure hunts, relay races, and obstacle courses that will require children to use their affected arm skillfully to navigate through the courses.

In addition to the navigation practice, along the multi-directional courses, children will complete tasks at multiple stations that will involve both gross and fine motor activities. The goal of the training will be to use their arm for functional goal-directed tasks and games that will involve elements of reaching, grasping, in-hand manipulation, and release. We will use props such as balls, bean bags, cups, cones, and small toys to practice skills such as catching, throwing, picking up, pushing, pulling, opening, closing, etc.