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Correlation between Selective Motor Control of the Lower Extremities and Balance in Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral
Amira H Mohammed1, Hager R El-Serougy2, Amel E Abdel Karim3
1Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatric and its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa, Egypt.
Insights
Mirror therapy significantly improved selective motor control and balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). This simple, low-cost intervention enhances motor skills and balance, offering a valuable addition to CP therapy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience motor deficits including spasticity, weakness, contractures, impaired selective motor control (SMC), and poor balance.
- Hemiplegic CP specifically affects one side of the body, impacting lower extremity function.
- Understanding the interplay between SMC and balance is crucial for effective therapeutic interventions in children with hemiplegic CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of mirror feedback on lower extremity selective motor control (SMC) in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP).
- To assess the influence of mirror feedback on balance in children diagnosed with hemiplegic CP.
- To explore the relationship between SMC and balance to inform therapeutic strategies for children with hemiplegic CP.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 47 children diagnosed with hemiplegic CP.
- Participants were divided into two groups: a control group (Gr1) receiving conventional physical therapy and an intervention group (Gr2) receiving conventional therapy plus bilateral lower extremity mirror therapy (MT).
- Outcome measures included the Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity (SCALE) for SMC and the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) for balance.
Main Results:
- Both groups showed significant improvement after treatment.
- The intervention group (Gr2) demonstrated significantly greater improvements in both SCALE and PBS scores compared to the control group (Gr1).
- Mirror therapy yielded substantial benefits for selective motor control and balance in children with hemiplegic CP.
Conclusions:
- Mirror therapy (MT) presents a potentially valuable adjunct to home-based motor interventions for children with hemiplegic CP.
- The intervention is characterized by its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high patient adherence.
- Mirror therapy may enhance selective motor skills and improve balance in pediatric populations with hemiplegic CP.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have motor deficits caused by spasticity, weakness, contractures, diminished selective motor control (SMC), and poor balance. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the influence of mirror feedback on lower extremity selective motor control and balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Understanding the relationship between SMC and balance will help children with hemiplegic CP receive more appropriate therapies.
Methods:
Forty-seven children of both sexes diagnosed with hemiplegic CP participated in the study. Group1 (Gr1 - control group) received conventional physical therapy training while group 2 (Gr2 - intervention group) received conventional physical therapy training in addition to bilateral lower extremity mirror therapy (MT). The primary outcome measure used was Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity scale (SCALE), while the secondary outcome measure was the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS).
Results:
There were significant differences in Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity Scale (SCALE) and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) between both groups in favor of Gr2. After treatment, both groups improved significantly, yet Gr2 outperformed Gr1 by a large margin.
Conclusion:
Mirror therapy may be a useful addition to home-based motor interventions for children with hemiplegic CP due to its relative simplicity, low cost, and high patient adherence. Additionally, it may help children improve their selective motor skills and balance.
Trial Registration:
Current Controlled Trials using African Clinical Trials Registry website with ID number PACTR202105604636415 retrospectively registered on 21/01/202.
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