Shoulder Function and Bone Mineralization in Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury After Neuromuscular
1From the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (formerly Salamn bin Abdulaziz University), Saudi Arabia; and Department of Physical Therapy for Disturbances of Growth and Development in Children and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
Insights
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight-bearing exercises significantly improved shoulder function and bone mineral density in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI). This simple method offers an effective treatment approach.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) affects shoulder function and bone health in children.
- Weight-bearing exercises are crucial for rehabilitation but can be challenging with OBPI.
- Limited evidence exists on adjunct therapies to enhance exercise efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with weight-bearing exercises.
- To assess changes in shoulder function and bone mineral density (BMD) in children with OBPI.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 42 children (3-5 years) with OBPI.
- Intervention group received NMES during weight-bearing exercises; control group received standard program.
- Shoulder function (Mallet scale) and BMD (DXA) were measured at baseline and 3 months.
Main Results:
- No significant baseline differences between groups.
- Both groups showed improvement post-intervention.
- The NMES group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in shoulder function and BMD compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- NMES during weight-bearing exercises is an effective and simple intervention for children with OBPI.
- This approach enhances shoulder function and bone mineral density.
- NMES offers a promising adjunctive therapy for OBPI rehabilitation.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight-bearing exercises on shoulder function and bone mineral density (BMD) in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI).
Design:
This study was a randomized controlled trial. Forty-two children with OBPI were recruited. Their ages ranged from 3 to 5 years. They were randomly assigned either to control group (received a selected program) or study group (received the same program as the control group and neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight bearing). Mallet grading system and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were used to evaluate shoulder function and BMD respectively at entry and after intervention (3 months later).
Results:
No significant differences of the outcome measures were detected at entry. Significant differences were observed within both groups when the pre and post treatment scores within each group were compared. Finally, significant differences favoring the study group were recorded when their post treatment scores were compared.
Conclusion:
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight bearing exercises is an effective and simple method to improve shoulder function and BMD in children with OBPI.
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