Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy often have difficulty in performing activities which rely on the coordinated use of both hands because of movement difficulties of the affected hand. This study aims to determine the effect of bilateral arm exercises on motor control of hemiparetic cerebral palsy children. Methods: Twenty-six hemiparetic cerebral palsy children of both genders participated in this study. Their age ranged between 3and 7 years with spasticity ranged from 1 to 2 according to Modified Ashworth Scale and they could follow the order during testing and training. None of them had visual or auditory defect or previous orthopedic surgery of the affected upper extremity and they shouldn't have any structural deformities in any joint or bone. They were randomly assigned into two groups (A&B) of equal number 13 patients each, group (A) received a selected physical therapy program for one and half hours and group (B) received the selected physical therapy program for one hour in addition to bilateral arm exercises for half an hour. Both groups received the selected treatment program 3 times per week for 3 successive months from November 2018 to January 2019. All the patients were evaluated with Modified Ashworth Scale to evaluate the spasticity, Functional Independence Measure for children to assess functional independence and Pneumatic Squeeze Bulb Dynamometer to assess grip and pinch strength at pre- and post- treatment

Issued also as CD