This study will be looking at their function in school and home and an objective measure of their involved arm compared to their normal arm. Research Programs Aside from the specific projects mentioned above, there are several ongoing research programs in the department. If you find one of these research areas interesting, feel free to contact the investigator to see if there are any possibilities of a summer fellow project. There are several active projects in the pediatric section of the department. Functional motor disability is difficult to assess, making it hard to know if treatments are effective or if a disease state is progressing.
Patients undergo motor control testing to measure several variables relating to movement.
A recent study has documented changes in upper extremity motor control after botulinum toxin injections. Over the past several years, the use of home ventilation in children has become more common. The University of Michigan has a large clinic which follows these patients, who have diagnoses such as myopathy, spinal cord injury, and many others. Several projects have been done examining their care and outcome. The Baclofen Pump is has been a great benefit to patients with spasticity.