| Abstrakt: |
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a visual feedback education system addition to Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) rehabilitation program on upper extremity functions of a child with cerebral palsy. Methods: A 12-year-old female patient with hemiparatic cerebral palsy was assessed for functional gait (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ)), joint range of motion (goniometer), grip strength (dynamometer), pinching force (pinchmeter), spasticity (modified Ashworth scale), hand skills (Minnesota Hand Skill Test (MHST)), gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Classification System) and reaction time (RT) (were assessed with Cogniboard® Light Trainer) prior to the treatment program. Following the evaluation, a total of 8 sessions of NDT-based upper extremity rehabilitation (35 minutes) and Cogniboard® Light Trainer training (10 minutes) were performed in 5 weeks. The same evaluations were repeated after the treatment. Results: A 5-degree limitation at supination was improved; at CHAQ, difficulty of ability to wash and comb hair and push and open a door when she has to turn a door knob changed into without any difficulty from with some difficulty. Placement of the object by MHST was 24 seconds faster, placement of the object bilaterally was 1 minute 22 seconds faster; RT was faster by 1.58 sec. No other assessment parameters were changed. When she was asked about her ideas and her findings of developments in her hemiplegic side after the new rehabilitation program, she reported that she was pleased with the new program, and said that she was not able to hold a ball by her hemiplegic side when it is throwed to her while playing outside. She wanted to continue the new program. Conclusions: The addition of visual feedback education system to the rehabilitation program increased the utilization of patient's hemiplegic side and positively influenced her views on the rehabilitation program and the patient wanted the continuation of this approach. The addition of technological rehabilitation practices to the NDT-based rehabilitation programs has been envisaged to be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
