A Holistic Approach Towards Evaluating Upper Limb Function in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review of Clinical Tools and Promising Technologies for Comprehensive Assessment

Optimal upper limb (UpL) function is essential for performing daily activities; however, children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (USCP) often experience impairments in UpL function, which can impact their quality of life or independence. While UpL motor impairments are a primary concern, non-motor functions, such as cognition, attention, and visual function, commonly impaired in USCP, may also play a role in UpL performance. Nevertheless, these non-motor functions are often not considered in evaluation protocols that focus on the UpL. Moreover, clinical evaluation is typically conducted in structured and controlled settings and may not accurately reflect the child’s abilities in daily life. Non-invasive, novel technologies are a promising solution for filling this gap, by providing additional quantitative and ecologically valid information to clinicians. In this context, this overview aims (i) to present the most frequently used tools for a holistic evaluation in children with USCP, ensuring a thorough understanding of the UpL function, and (ii) to report the evidence of how novel, non-invasive technologies can enhance clinical evaluation in daily life, enabling a more comprehensive evaluation. This work could set a basis for multidimensional evaluation protocols for UpL function in USCP, providing a different approach to the current standards.