Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of forced use therapy on posture in children
with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Single group pre- and post-training
assessments. SUBJECTS:
Eight children (mean age 10.5 years (standard deviation
1.26 years)) with hemiplegic cerebral palsy Levels I and II on the gross motor
function classification scale. METHODS: All participants underwent 12 days (6
h/day) of forced use therapy. Postural asymmetry as well as the centre of
pressure range and peak velocity during quiet standing were evaluated before and
after the therapy. Upper limb functional level was also assessed using the
Bruininks Oseretsky test of Motor Proficiency and the Assisting Hand Assessment.
RESULTS: Before forced use therapy, postural asymmetry tended to decrease when
the participants wore the upper limb constraint. After forced use therapy, upper
limb functional scores improved significantly, and postural asymmetry tended to
decrease, compared with the pre-therapy values. Postural improvement was
correlated with postural asymmetry before forced use therapy. No significant
differences were observed on the centre of pressure displacement parameters
during the quiet standing tests in all conditions.
CONCLUSION: This pilot study
showed that forced use therapy may be an efficient way to improve postural
asymmetry in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Langue : ANGLAIS