Impact of Non-Robotic Assisted Therapy for Improvement of Mobility of Paretic Upper Extremity Caused by Cerebral Palsy Compared to Classical Kinesiotherapy

Abstract

Background: The aim of the clinical study was to investigate and compare the impact of non-robotic assisted therapy to classical kinesiotherapy to improve the function abilities of upper extremity. Patients and methods:Sixty patients were divided randomly into two study groups. In the main group, patients completed a non-robotic assisted therapy and in the comparative group, they completed a classical kinesiotherapy. The age range of patients was from 6 to 17 years of age with impaired upper extremity. They all participated in 20 therapies.Results: Statistically significant results were obtained in patients who completed the Armeo ® therapy in all ranges of motion, the best improvement (p = 0.000) of shoulder and elbow flexion, and wrist extension, in all grips of the hand, the best improvement (p = 0.000) in lateral pinch, spherical and cylindrical grip and in Frenchay Arm Test in all tasks, the best improvement (p = 0.000) in tasks 1 and 5. The comparative group of the patients achieved statistically significant results only in elbow flexion (p = 0.005), radial deviation (p = 0.046), in ulnar deviation (p = 0.011). In other movements, grips and tasks were the results that are not statistically significant. Conclusion:For the improvement of function ability of the paretic upper extremity, the patients with cerebral palsy are statistically more effective from the non-robotic assisted therapy than those who completed the classical kinesiotherapy.