An observational study in Cerebral Palsy Infantile and Upper Limb Spasticity, sponsored by Hospices Civils de Lyon. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged Up to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-04.
Sponsored by Hospices Civils de Lyon · Observational
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of neurological disability in children, with a prevalence of 2-2.5 per 1,000 live births in Europe. It results from irreversible injury to the developing brain and is characterized by permanent disorders of movement and posture, frequently associated with cognitive or sensory impairments. Although the primary lesion is non-progressive, secondary musculoskeletal complications evolve over time, leading to soft tissue contractures and skeletal deformities. Hemiplegia, the most common CP subtype (≈30%), predominantly affects the upper limb, where spasticity and dyskinesia impair both unimanual and bimanual function.
Focal management with botulinum toxin combined with task-oriented therapy has demonstrated functional benefits. However, evidence supporting orthopedic interventions for contractures and deformities remains limited, and functional outcomes following upper limb surgery in CP are insufficiently documented. Selective and hyperselective peripheral neurotomies are established treatments for focal spasticity in adults, yet their role in paediatric CP remains debated.
To date, no study has systematically compared unilateral and bilateral selective or hyperselective upper limb neurotomies in children with CP, nor analysed medium- and long-term functional trajectories within a structured multidisciplinary decision-making framework. The investigators report the outcomes of a paediatric cohort managed through a standardized pathway including multidimensional preoperative assessment, shared decision-making in a multidisciplinary meeting, specialized neurosurgical intervention, and protocolized postoperative rehabilitation and orthotic management. Functional impact is assessed at discharge and at 6 and 12-15 months.
This study aims to provide original comparative data on the magnitude and durability of functional gains in unimanual and bimanual performance, identify potential responder profiles, and clarify the position of neurotomy within the therapeutic algorithm for the spastic upper limb in children with CP. Ultimately, the findings may contribute to refining indication criteria, optimizing surgical timing, and improving participation and autonomy outcomes.
1,898 studies on the registry are indexed under Cerebral Palsy; 439 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 21 is below the median of 63 across 469 observational studies indexed under Cerebral Palsy.
Browse Cerebral Palsy studies →Hospices Civils de Lyon is the lead sponsor of 1,863 studies on the registry; 445 are open to participants now.
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The study includes patients followed at the Massues Medical-Surgical Rehabilitation Centre (Lyon, France) who underwent peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb between February 2018 and October 2025 and who were under 18 years of age at the time of the surgical project. At the Massues Medical-Surgical Rehabilitation Centre, each patient undergoes a preliminary assessment and a surgical plan is defined during a multidisciplinary meeting, with the aim of reaching a shared and informed decision. Peripheral neurotomy surgery is performed by a specialist neurosurgeon, followed by rehabilitation and orthotic treatment tailored to the procedure performed. The impact of the surgery is assessed 12-15 months post-operatively.
All patients meeting the inclusion criteria are included, i.e. 21 patients.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Children with cerebral palsy who have undergone a peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar), assessed preoperatively and 12-15 months after surgery, using a standardised battery of tests performed as part of routine clinical practice.
Procedure: Peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar).
The peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar) is performed by a specialist neurosurgeon, followed by rehabilitation and orthotic treatment tailored to the procedure performed. The impact of the surgery is assessed at the end of the patient's at 12-15 months, and compared with the preoperative evaluation.
Melbourne Test - Version 2 (MA2).
To mesure the impact of a peripheral neurotomy of the upper limb (musculocutaneous and/or median and/or ulnar) in children with CP on range of motion and dexterity. The range of motion and dexterity scores from the MA2 are used as the main criteria. The MA2 assesses the quality of unilateral upper limb function during standardized tasks (approach, grasping, release, manipulation). It is intended for children aged 2.5 to 15 years with neurological impairment. The assessment is filmed according to a standardized protocol and scored retrospectively from the video. Four scores expressed as percentages are obtained: range of motion, precision, dexterity, and fluidity of movement. The tool has excellent reliability, both intra- (R = 0.97) and inter-examiner (R = 0.95).
Time frame: Data are collected preoperatively and at 12-15 months postoperatively.
Plan to share: Undecided
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Jan 2027, 2 months later.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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