Developing an assistive interface for individuals with spasticity disorders cd.

2. CEREBRAL PALSY

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects motor movements [2]. CP is generally classified by the affected limbs and the symptoms that are displayed. CP varies in cases according to the affected body regions:
– Quadriplegia: all the limbs are affected with CP.
Double Hemiplegia: all four limbs are affected, with the arms being more severely affected.
– Diplegia: all four limbs are affected, with the legs being more severely affected.
– Paraplegia: both legs are affected.
– Tiplegia: three of the four limbs are affected.
– Hemiplegia: one side of the body is affected.
– Monoplegia: one limb is affected, [2] [3].

CP is also classified symptomatically:
– Spastic CP occurs when spastic muscles are stretched at a specific speed. They would respond in an abnormal fashion, characterized by increased tendon jerks and signs of upper neural lesions. Epilepsy is the most common form of spastic CP. The patient may suffer from abnormal postures and deformities, along with rib cage abnormalities and respiratory dysfunctions. The more the person becomes excited or enthused to move, the less control he/she has. Hearing and eyesight may also be affected.
– Athetoid CP patients suffer from involuntary movement syndromes. Motion may also be delayed or disrupted. Hearing loss at higher frequencies may also occur.
– Ataxic CP is associated with severe clumsiness, and movements may be very uncoordinated, and occasionally be accompanied by tremor [2].