Effect of sensorimotor stimulation on manual dexterity and hand grip strength in children with diplegia / Ola Abdraboh Fathy Mohammed ; Supervised Hoda Abdelazeim Eltalawy , Nanees Essam Mohamed

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

Background: Children with diplegic cerebral palsy commonly exhibit sensory deficiencies in their hands in addition to motor problems. Impaired sensations negatively impact on acquisition of skilled movement which decreasing daily self-care activities and school activities. Aim of the study was to assess the effect of sensorimotor stimulation on manual dexterity and handgrip strength in diplegic cerebral palsy children. Subjects and methods: Thirty diplegic cerebral palsy children were randomly allocated into two equal groups received successive three months intervention. The control group received designed occupational therapy program only, while the study group received designed occupational therapy program in addition to sensory and perceptual stimulation program. Manual dexterity and grip strength were assessed by Bruinink-Oseretsky test and hand dynamometer, respectively. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement post-treatment in manual dexterity and handgrip strength in both groups and a statistically significant improvement in study group more than in control group. No association was observed between the manual dexterity and hand grip strength of dominant hand in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. Conclusion: Sensorimotor stimulation (sensory and perceptual training in addition to designed occupational therapy program) improves the manual dexterity (98.44%) and hand grip strength (94.22%) in children with diplegia compared with the effect of designed occupational therapy solely

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