Abstract

Objective: To compare the constraint induced movement therapy with vibration therapy on hand functions in hemiplegic cerebral palsy children.
Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at Children Hospital Lahore from April to July 2019. A sample of 40 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, age 5-12 years were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups. One group-received constraint induced movement therapy combined with vibration therapy and the other received only constraint therapy. Baseline treatment of both groups was constraint induced movement therapy. Functional skills of children such as upper limb activities were measured by Jebsen Taylor hand function scale.
Results: Children receiving constraint induced movement therapy with vibration therapy improved in hand’s function more, at post-intervention constraint induced movement mean and standard deviation were 10.50±0.51 and mean difference was 0.12 as compared to sham therapy mean and standard deviation were 5.55±0.51 and mean difference was 0.11 (p=0.001). The Jebsen Taylor hand function test at post-intervention was significant (p≤0.05), in all dimensions.
Conclusion: Constraint induced movement therapy in combination of vibration therapy was significantly better in hand functions of hemiplegic cerebral palsy children as compared to that of constraint induced therapy without vibration therapy.

Key words: Cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, vibration, constraint induced therapy.