EMG biofeedback training for a mentally retarded individual with cerebral palsy

Electromyographic biofeedback training was used to facilitate finger and wrist extension movements in a mentally retarded individual with spastic hemiplegia. The client was a 29-year-old woman with profound mental retardation and cerebral palsy as a result of postnatal meningitis. During treatment, the client demonstrated a short attention span, lack of motivation, low frustration tolerance, and increased spasticity in her left hand. The client was able to hyperextend her fingers following finger extension training, although goniometric measurements showed a marked degree of wrist flexion and wrist ulnar deviation. Therefore, training was implemented to develop wrist extension movements. Biofeedback therapy resulted in a substantial increase in active wrist extension and a marked reduction in wrist ulnar deviation.