New method more accurately assesses movement disorder in children

Cerebral palsy affects around one in 345 children in the U.S., and more than half of them experience a problem called dystonia — involuntary and often painful muscle contractions, most commonly in the legs, that lead to abnormal movement and postures and make regular activities such as walking difficult. Traditionally, doctors have relied on subjective assessment for diagnosing dystonia, which can be inconsistent and lead to delayed treatment. For children with cerebral palsy, this delay can result in their condition worsening and becoming more difficult to treat.