Effect of early rehabilitation on hand functions in the first two years with diagnosis of hemiparesis

Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy is the most common type in the spastic group (39%). The upper extremity is affected more than the lower extremity. With this study, it is aimed to show the effect of early rehabilitation program for upper extremity on hand functions in babies with HSP. A total of 20 cases (9 girls (45%) and 11 boys (55%) were included in the study. 10 (50%) of 20 patients had right hemiparesis, 10 (50%) had left hemiparesis. The mean age of the patients was 10.33 ± 7.24 months (median = 7.71, range = 2.25-30.16 months). 5 (25%) patients aged 0-6 months, 7 (35%) patients aged 6-12 months, 7 (35%) patients aged 1 year, 1 (5%) 2 years old. . Exercises were given to support the development of the cases, and the family was taught a home exercise program. Caregivers were mothers in 95% (n = 19) and fathers in 5% (n = 1). Fine motor raw score (<0.001), gross motor raw score (<0.001), fine motor scale score (0.008), fine motor equivalence age (<0.001), gross motor equivalence age (<0.001) when evaluated with Bayley III compared to pre-treatment 0.001), fine motor growth score (<0.001) and gross motor growth score (<0.001) increased statistically significantly. After treatment, sitting with support (p = 0.031) and sitting without support (p = 0.001) were statistically significantly higher than before treatment. Hemiparetic side grip was found to be significantly higher in patients without cortical thumb before treatment than in patients with cortical thumb (p = 0.001). After cortical thumb treatment, there was no patient. A statistically significant increase was observed in the ratio of hemiparetic side grip after treatment (P = 0.002). A decrease in biceps spasticity was observed. As a result, improvement in upper extremity functions was observed with early rehabilitation.