Investigation the effects of trunk stability and upper extremity functionality using soft lumbosakral orthosis in children with cerebral palsy

UZUN A., Investigation the Effects of Trunk Stability and Upper Extremity Functionality Using Soft Lumbosakral Orthosis in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Hasan Kalyoncu University, Institue of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department, Master Thesis, Gaziantep 2018. Children with cerebral palsy (SP) have difficulty maintaining and balancing trunk postural control, which has critical prescription to ensure independence in daily life activities. Trunk stability is also required for more functional upper extremity movements. The necessity of lumbar lordosis is important for the control of the trunk and for the sagittal balance to be maintained in harmony with the spine and pelvis. This investigation is planned to investigate the effect of lower body support supporting physiological lordosis on trunk control and upper extremity functioning in children with SP. Thirteen children with dıparatic, 11 hemiparetic and 6 ataxic a total of 30 SP children aged between 3 and 16 years were included in the study. Pediatric Functional Extension Test (PFAT) and Postural Control Measure in situ (SPCM) to assess trunk control, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBS) to assess balance, Box Block Test (BBT) and Nine Hold Peg Test (NHPT) to assess upper extremity functions and Time up Go Test (TUG) to assess the walking speed of children who could walk was used. All tests were repeated with both orthosis and non-orthosis. The results of all the evaluations performed in the study were higher than those of the non-orthosis ones (p<0,05). No significant difference was found only in the function area of the SPCM test (p>0,05). This research suggest that positive effects of orthosis supporting physiological lordosis, on trunk stability and upper extremity functionality also increased walking speed in children with SP. This demonstrates that children can use orthoses that support physiologic lordosis during walking training as well as body stability and upper extremity functioning. Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Orthosis, Trunk Stability, Balance