Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of implementing a practice period of modified
constraint-induced movement therapy in a virtual environment on upper limb
function in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy. METHODS: In a
single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial, 32 participants (18 female, 14
male) received 18 hours training in 3 different groups (virtual reality, modified
constraint-induced movement therapy, and a combination group). The fourth group
was a control group. Training sessions occurred every other day, 3 times per week
for 4-week. Each session lasted for 1.5 hours. Assessment sessions were conducted
before, after, and 3-month after treatment period using pediatric motor activity
log and the speed and dexterity subtest of the bruininks-oseretsky test of motor
proficiency. Data analysis was conducted by ANOVA with repeated measures using
SPSS 16.0 with alpha levels set at P< 0.05. RESULTS: Significantly higher gains
were observed in the combination therapy group for the amount of limb use (mean
change, 2.72), quality of movement (mean change, 2.79), and speed and dexterity
(mean change, 1.74) at post-test. These gains were maintained at the 3-month
follow-up assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Modified constraint-induced movement therapy
in a virtual environment could be a promising rehabilitation procedure to enhance
the benefits of both virtual reality and constraint-induced therapy techniques.

Langue : ANGLAIS