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

Background: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy results from damage to the cortico-spinal tract and other developing pathways resulting in impaired upper limb function and affecting daily self-care and school activities. Purpose: To investigate the effect of scapular alignment on upper limb function in children with spastic hemiparesis and to determine the relation between scapular alignment of the affected, less affected limb and the upper limb function in children with spastic hemiparesis.Subjects: Eighty five children (63 boys and 22 girls) with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, aged from 3 to 6 years. Methods: Postural zone software was used to assess scapular alignment and pediatric arm function test was used to assess upper arm function.Results: There was statistically significant correlation between scapular deviation of the affected side with arm elevated and total score of pediatric upper limb function (r = -0.973, p = 0.0001). Also significance correlation was found between scapular deviation of the affected side with both hands beside the body and total score of pediatric upper limb function (r = -0.982, p = 0.0001) in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that there was significant strong negative correlation between scapular deviation and upper limb function in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Thus, the scapular deviation management should be considered in the rehabilitation program for children with spastic hemiplegic children

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