Virtual reality versus balance beam on walking performance in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled comparative trial

Mohanad M. Madboly, Khaled A. Olama, Hamada E. Ayoub, Doha H. Al-Afify, Doaa Saeed, Walaa A. Abd El-Nabie

Mohanad M. Madboly, Khaled A. Olama, Hamada E. Ayoub, Doha H. Al-Afify, Doaa Saeed, Walaa A. Abd El-Nabie – Virtual reality versus balance beam on walking performance in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled comparative trial –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2024; 24(1); 222-228

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG2EF8E30

Abstract
Background. Virtual reality and balancing beam are widely acknowledged as a highly successful approach for improving balance as well as walking performance among children suffering from hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Purpose. The aim of this study was to compare between the impact of virtual reality and balance beam on walking performance (balance and functional walking capacity) in children with hemiplegic CP. Subjects and methods. A total of seventy-five children with hemiplegic CP, comprising 31 boys and 44 girls, aged between 7 and 11 years of both genders, were included in this study. The participants were allocated randomly into three groups (n = 25), A (control group) and B, C (study groups). All children received designed physical therapy programs based on neurodevelopmental technique, in addition to balance and gait training exercises for control group A, virtual reality training for group B and balance beam training for group C. The treatment program was administered to each group three times weekly for three consecutive months, lasting one hour each session. All children were examined clinically pre- and post-treatment using HUMAC balance and tilt system, and 6- minutes walking test (6mWT) to assess balance, walking functional capacity respectively. Results. There was a significant improvement in balance and 6MWT of three groups post treatment when contrasted with that pretreatment (p < 0.001). Furthermore, group B and C’s measured variables showed a substantial improvement over group A’s when compared (p < 0.01), while group B and C did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Virtual reality and balance beam training have an effective influence on the improvement of balance and walking performance.
Keywords
balance beam, cerebral palsy, functional walking capacity, hemiplegic, virtual reality
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Sensory processing abilities in relation to motor capabilities in children with different types of cerebral palsy

Amal Abdelwahab Youssef, Amira Mohamed Eltohamy, Kamal Elsayed Shokry, Engi E.Sarhan, Nesma EM. Barakat

Amal Abdelwahab Youssef, Amira Mohamed Eltohamy, Kamal Elsayed Shokry, Engi E.Sarhan, Nesma EM. Barakat – Sensory processing abilities in relation to motor capabilities in children with different types of cerebral palsy –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2024; 24(1); 173-181

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG2EF88A7

Abstract
Background and purpose. Children with cerebral palsy have sensory processing issues as well as motor problems, which lead to severe developmental disability. In this study, we aimed to assess correlation between sensory processing abilities and motor capabilities in children with cerebral palsy and assess the effect of cerebral palsy types on sensory processing abilities and motor capabilities.
Materials and methods. One hundred cerebral palsy children of both sex were included in the study; their age ranged from 4-10 years old were selected from pediatric rehabilitation out clinic of faculty of Physical Therapy Cairo University, fulfilling inclusion criteria. All children were assessed by Short sensory profile: to measure sensory processing ability, Gross Motor Function Classification System: to measure the gross motor skills and Manual Ability Classification System: to measure the fine motor skills.
Result. there was a significant correlation between GMFCS, MACS and the total score of SSP as well as Low energy weak, tactile sensitivity score, taste smell sensitivity, Movement sensitivity, and Under-responsive seeks sensation (P ≤ 0.05*). There was no significant correlations between both auditory filtering and Visual-auditory sensitivity with GMFCS and MACS (P = 0.676 and 0.266, respectively). There was statistical variation among different CP types regarding SSP and motor assessment (P ≤ 0.05*).
Conclusion. the study showed: sensory processing abilities effect on motor capabilities in children with cerebral palsy.
Keywords
sensory processing abilities, motor capabilities, cerebral palsy
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Improved hand muscle ability after 6 weeks of squeezing a tennis ball exercise in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Irmantara Subagio, Nengteng Manik, Rahmat Putra Perdana, Putra Sastaman B, Erna Yantiningsih, Raja Mohammed Firhad Raja Azidin, Slamet Raharjo

 

Irmantara Subagio, Nengteng Manik, Rahmat Putra Perdana, Putra Sastaman B, Erna Yantiningsih, Raja Mohammed Firhad Raja Azidin, Slamet Raharjo – Improved hand muscle ability after 6 weeks of squeezing a tennis ball exercise in children with spastic cerebral palsy –  Fizjoterapia Polska 2024; 24(1); 73-77

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG2EF8753

Abstract
Children with cerebral palsy tend to be less physically fit compared to typically developing peers. This is mainly due to the lack of physical activity and exercise during their childhood. If adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy don’t get enough exercise, it could result in reduced mobility and physical fitness. It is very important to start treatment for cerebral palsy when the child is young. The goal of this research was to investigate how children with spastic cerebral palsy might benefit from enhancing their hand muscle functioning by squeezing a sponge tennis ball during hand-strengthening exercises. The study implemented a true experimental design with a pre-and post-test control group. This methodology allowed for a rigorous and systematic investigation, ensuring reliable and valid results. Twelve boys between the ages of 15 and 17 who were all diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy participated in sponge tennis ball gripping exercises as part of a program of intervention. A 30-minute workout of sponge tennis ball squeezing involves 4-6 sets of 15-20 repetitions with passive rests of 30 seconds. The prescribed regimen involves conducting the exercise four times per week for six weeks. Before and after the intervention, the Hand Grip Dynamometer was used to assess the hand muscle strength of children with spastic-type cerebral palsy. Data analysis techniques were applied using the independent samples t-test with a significant level of 5%. The results showed the average muscle strength of the right hand after the intervention between control vs. experiment (4.36 ± 1.35 kg vs. 34.16 ± 3.34 kg (p = 0.000)), the average muscle strength of the left hand after the intervention between control vs. experiment (2.31 ± 0.49 kg vs. 30.18 ± 2.08 kg (p = 0.000)). The findings of the research suggest that engaging in frequent tennis ball gripping exercises, conducted on a frequency of four sessions per week over a duration of six weeks, may yield notable improvements in the hand muscle functionality of children diagnosed with spastic-type cerebral palsy. The findings suggest that including these activities in treatment, procedures may provide significant value for persons with this particular illness.
Keywords
cerebral palsy, children, spastic type, tennis ball exercise
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