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. 2022 May;25(4):281-288.
doi: 10.1080/17518423.2021.2020351. Epub 2021 Dec 31.

Effect of upper extremity constraints on functional and dynamic postural control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Meysam Roostaei  1 , Parvin Raji  1 , Khosro Khademi Kalantari  2 , Elham Faghihzadeh  3 , Maria Fragala-Pinkham  4
Affiliations

Effect of upper extremity constraints on functional and dynamic postural control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Meysam Roostaei et al. Dev Neurorehabil. 2022 May.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effects of upper extremity constraints on functional and dynamic postural control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Materials and methods: Twelve children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and 12 typically developing children ages 5 to 12 years (GMFCS I-II) were evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Biodex Balance System during three upper extremity (UE) conditions: 1) Free UEs (no constraints), 2) Simple UE constraint (unaffected/dominant UE constrained with a sling), and 3) Difficult UE constraint (Simple constraint plus the other UE holding cup of water).

Results: The UE condition had significant effects on Overall Stability Index (OSI) (F(2,44) = 24.899, p < .001), Medial-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI) (F(2,44) = 4.380, p = .018), Anterior-Posterior Stability Index (F(2,44) = 6.187, p = .004), and TUG scores (F(2,44) = 113.372, p < .001). Group was significant for OSI (F(1,22) = 7.906, p = .010), MLSI (F(1,22) = 13.113, p = .002), and TUG (F(1,22) = 36.282, p < .001).

Conclusions: The upper extremity appears to have a role in maintaining functional balance and postural stability in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and should be considered during intervention programs.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; balance reactions; gait; hemiplegia; postural control; upper extremity.

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