Comparison of the effects of using conventional physiotherapy program and technology-assisted treatment addition to conventional physiotherapy on upper extremity functions in children with spastic clinical type cerebral palsy with upper limb affect

Sönmez, P., Comparison of the Effects of using Conventional Physiotherapy Program and Technology-Assisted Treatment addition to Conventional Physiotherapy on Upper Extremity Functions in Children with Spastic Clinical Type Cerebral Palsy with Upper Limb Affect, Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Program, MSc. Thesis, Ankara, 2019. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of conventional physiotherapy and technology-assisted treatment programs using in addition to physiotherapy program on upper extremity functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Twelve children as the technology-assisted treatment group (Group 1) and 18 children as the conventional physiotherapy group (Group 2) were included in the study. Muscle tone with Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), upper extremity functions with Abilhand-Kids Scale and Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST), trunk functions with Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), everyday life and participation with Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) and Child Health Questıonnaıre Parent Form (CHQ-PF-50) was evaluated. Also upper extremity usage areas were recorded as limitation map values. MAS values in group 1 after treatment was significantly lower (p˂0.05). In both groups, changes in grasp and total score of the scale were significant, while dissosiated movements and weight bearing subscale scores were significantly different in the first group (p˂0.05). In group 2 only the change in the selective motion control score of TCMS was significant, while the change in all sub and total scores of group 1 was significant. Functional skills score change of PEDI was found significant in group 2 (p˂0.05). The change in the limitation map values and total scores were found to be significant in group 1. As a result; when technology-assisted therapy in children with CP was added to the physiotherapy program, it was found to be effective in improving upper extremity functions.