Article

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of Armeo robotic
therapy, compared with conventional therapy, on upper limb function in children
with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. DESIGN: Thirty children with hemiplegic cerebral
palsy, with ages ranging from 6 to 8 yrs, were selected for this randomized
controlled study and randomly assigned to two groups. The study group (n = 15)
received 12 wks of Armeo robotic therapy (45 min/session, 3 days/wk) and the
control group (n = 15) received conventional therapy for the same period. The
measured outcomes were the Modified Ashworth Scale and the Quality of Upper
Extremity Skills Test, measured at baseline and after 12 wks of intervention.
RESULTS: Children in the study group showed significant improvement in the mean
values of all the measured variables, compared with those in the control group (P
< 0.05). Postintervention Modified Ashworth Scale scores for the study and
control groups were 1.6 (0.3) and 2 (0.5), respectively. Postinterventional
Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test total scores for the study and control
groups were 84.6 (2.7) and 79.1 (2), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Armeo robotic
therapy is significantly more effective than conventional therapy in improving
the upper limb quality of movement in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Langue : ANGLAIS