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

Background: Cerebral palsy is a common condition that has devastating effects on a child{u2019}s ability to use hands. Either static or dynamic hand splints intervention often used to address deficits in upper limb skills. Purpose: the purpose of the current study was to investigate the combined effect of dynamic and static splints on hand function and grip strength, in children with hemiplegic Cerebral palsy. Subjects and Procedures: Twenty-four children (8 boys and 16 girls) aged 30 to 45 months; they were free from contractures at the wrist and elbow joints, participated in this study. They were randomly assigned equally into control group ( that was treated by static splint) and study group (that received a combined dynamic and static splinting) Evaluation of hand grip strength using hand held dynamometer and hand function performance detected by Peabody was done at baseline and after12-weeks of treatment application,Results: Post treatment mean values of grasping and object manipulation domains of Peabody scales scores showed a statistically significant difference( p>0.05) within and between control and study groups while mean value of grip strength showed insignificant difference (p<0.05) between both groups. Conclusion: Combined effects of dynamic and static splints are most beneficial on improving hand function in children with hemiplegic CP

Issued also as CD