Page 21 - A Guide to Physical and Occupational Therapy for CMT

Hand Function
Activities and exercises that engage hands in coordination, fine-motor and
manipulation practice may help increase efficiency and carry over into ADL
performance.

Activities like sign language, playing the piano, flute and other musical
instruments help work on coordination and isolated finger movements. Games
like Jenga, building with blocks and cooking tasks (measuring/pouring) are all
good activities to work on coordinating and grading movements.

Stringing beads, lacing, needlepoint, etc., help with fine motor skills. Using
Chinese medicine balls or golf balls, rotate the two balls in your hand clockwise
and counterclockwise to help work on rotational movement of the thumb and
coordination of side to side finger movements. Having small coins or dice in
your palm and bringing them to your fingertips one at a time, placing them on a
table top or into a piggy bank helps develop in hand manipulation skills.

SPLINTING: Your OT will determine if a splint is necessary to promote
increased hand function and engagement in ADLs or to provide a stretch to
prevent/correct a hand deformity. Below are some helpful splints for those
with CMT.