Role of Spider Cage in Motor Control in Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy can be defined as disorder of movement and posture caused by lesion in immature brain. Brain lesion leads to abnormal sensory motor development along with visual, cognitive and hearing impairments. Motor control in normal individual is developed as body come under the influence of higher centers. Universal exercise unit, spider web, therasuit, functional training and repetitions of body transitions are used in these protocols. Therapy sessions are extended from three to four hours. It can be used with children and adults with different neurological conditions like stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and spina bifida. Spider cage is made of metal with equal length, width and height, size of cage can be different depending upon type of population pediatric or adults. Cage consists of elastic cords and belts, which are used to support the patients in the cage. Different activities of functional training can be practice in this cage easily. Elastic resistance of cords can be used to strengthen the weak muscles. Initiation of a particular posture can be easily trained in this cage. Therapies and techniques are discovered over the time to treat patients with cerebral palsy. Although use of universal exercise unit in rehabilitation is not new, however in cerebral palsy it can be used with new concept. Scientific research literature is limited on its effectiveness.

Enhancing Post-Operative Recovery in Spastic Diplegia through Physical Therapy Rehabilitation following Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy: A Case Report and Thorough Literature Analysis

“…Spider Therapy, as described in the program, enhances mobility and independence by using exercises in a spider cage to strengthen muscles, improve co-ordination, and enhance balance. The cage supports the patient in independent standing, allowing the therapist to easily instill proper posture and better body control [44]. The illustrations of flexion contractures, strengthening of hamstrings, and knee joint extension assistance are presented in Figure 3a-c Figure 4a shows the patient standing on a wedge board while a physiotherapist stabilizes the knees and applies force to extend them.…”

Evaluation of the Effect of SPIDER System Therapy on Weight Shifting Symmetry in Chronic Stroke Patients—A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The cords are attached to a support belt, which in turn is placed around the patient’s waist. The force generated depends on the type of expander (two types of cords are used) and the height of attachment on the cage of the SPIDER device (height of expander attachment—center of gravity angle) ( Figure 4 ) [ 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”