Actigraph assessment for measuring upper limb activity in unilateral cerebral palsy.

The study used a single play-based session and did not follow children over time, so it cannot show how actigraphic measures change after treatment. The sample was mostly Italian, with only 2 Australian children with unilateral cerebral palsy and 3 Australian typically developing children, so it may not represent other settings. Only 11 children were at MACS level III, so findings for the most affected group are less secure. Children with predominantly dystonic or athetoid movement, uncontrolled seizures, insufficient cognitive level, progressive disorders, or marked visual or hearing impairment were excluded. Slow rotations of the wrist monitor can increase activity counts because of gravity projection, so some movement counts may be biased. The age comparison used different children at each age, not the same children over time.

The supplied funding statement names Ministero della Salute as the funder. The supplied text does not report additional conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that actigraphy proves a therapy improves upper limb use. This study measured arm movement during a single play-based assessment and compared children with unilateral cerebral palsy with typically developing children; it did not test a treatment or follow children over time.