Methodological Considerations to Investigate Dosage Parameters of Intensive Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Scoping Review of RCTs

To identify and synthesize RCTs on the isolated effect of dosage parameters of upper limb Intensive Motor Rehabilitation Treatments (IMRT) of children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy (USCP); to identify the most frequent methodological weaknesses. Searches were conducted until September 2018 in gray and published literature databases and supplemented by exploring the identified studies’ references. Inclusion criteria applied: RCT; children aged 1.5 to 19 years with USCP; upper limb IMRT differing only from ≥1/4 dosage parameters between groups. Literature analyses conducted: qualitative and descriptive. We identified 461 studies. Seventeen were included: three presented a rehabilitation dosage distinction between groups in Frequency-Time, four in Intensity-Progressivity, three in Intensity-Restraint, two in Intensity-Environment and five presented ≥3 distinctions above. Inconsistencies were noted between USCP lifelong issues, and the short follow-ups and lack of participation assessments. Confounding factors and misstatements in Intent To Treat (ITT) analyses were identified. A meta-analysis was considered irrelevant. USCP, CP: Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Palsy; RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial; IMRT: Intensive Motor Rehabilitation Treatment