The Effects of Upper Extremity Robotic Rehabilitation in Children with Spastic Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
E - Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi (BSBD), vol.14, no.3, pp.781-788, 2025 (TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 14 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2025
- Journal Name: E - Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi (BSBD)
- Journal Indexes: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.781-788
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of robot-assisted rehabilitation (RR) applied in addition to conventional physiotherapy on upper extremity skills and functional independence level in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy (HCP). Materials and Methods: 34 children with HCP attended this prospective randomized controlled trial. The study group (n=17) received conventional physiotherapy and RR, the control group (n=17) received only conventional physiotherapy. Conventional physiotherapy program lasted 45 minutes for each child, RR program lasted 30 minutes. Participants were enrolled in sessions 3 times per week for 5 weeks. Outcome measures were Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for muscle tone, Abilhand-Kids Test for manual skills, The Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) for upper extremity motor function and The WeeFIM for functional independence level. Results: Statistically significant reduce were seen in total, elbow and hand muscle tone in the study group (p˂0.05). Improvement in manual skills, upper extremity motor function and functional independence level were statistically significant in both groups after therapy (p˂0.005). The improvements were more obvious in the study group (p˂0.005). Conclusion: Adding RR to conventional physiotherapy program has led to further improvements in the level of muscle tone, manual skills, upper limb motor function and functional independence level.