Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hemiparetic cerebral palsy is more impairment of one side of the body as a result of non-progressive disturbances in premature brain. We study the present compared effect of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) with virtual reality (VR) on upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.
Materials and Methods: In this single center study, 24 children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy were subdivided in 3 different groups (CIMT group, VR group, and control groups). One and half hours sessions of practice were executed every other day for 4-week. Measures were conducted pre, post and 3-month after the therapeutic periods by Pediatrics Motor Activity Log and Bruininks-Oseretsky. Samples were analysis by statistical methods.
Results: Data analysis showed a non-significant difference between VR and CIMT groups (speed and dexterity means in VR: 1.22± 0.23, CIMT: 1.35 ±0.37). Data analysis for follow up session indicated a non-significant difference between post-test and follow up for 3 groups.
Conclusion: Results showed positive effect of both interventions, it can be possible to substitute VR with CIMT to improve the upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.