Introduction Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of sensory, motor, and postural disorders caused by non-progressive brain injury in early development. It can manifest in various forms, including hemiplegia, which affects about 21% to 40% of CP cases. Upper extremity (UE) impairments in CP individuals are significant, impacting daily activities and quality of life. Objective This study aims to investigate the effects of pulley system exercises on improving upper limb function in children with hemiplegic CP. Methods Design: Randomized controlled double-blinded trial. Participants: 32 children aged 3-7 years with hemiplegic CP, divided into intervention and control groups. Intervention: The intervention group receives pulley system exercises plus standard care, while the control group receives standard physical therapy. Duration: Conducted between June 2024 and August 2024. Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with hemiplegic CP, aged 3-7 years, able to follow instructions, and with upper limb motor deficits. Exclusion Criteria: Additional neurological disorders, recent upper limb surgery, previous rehabilitation programs, severe medical conditions, or contraindications to physical activity. Assessment Tools: Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), Quality Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), and Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester. Timing: Baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Treatment Intervention Group: 45-60 minute sessions, three times a week, involving warm-up, pulley system exercises, and cool-down. Control Group: Standard care physical therapy, twice a week, 45-60 minute sessions. Statistical Analysis Methods: Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to analyze improvements in upper limb function. Significance Level: p \< 0.05. Analysis: Intention-to-treat to handle missing data. This study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of pulley system exercises in enhancing upper limb function in children with hemiplegic CP, potentially improving their independence and quality of life.
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Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA)
Timeframe: 3 months
The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) for Hand Function
Timeframe: 3 months
Quality Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST)
Timeframe: 3 months
Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester
Timeframe: 3 months