The effect of neural mobilization techniques on upper extremity functions in children with CP

The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of traditional physical therapy upper extremity rehabilitation and neural mobilization techniques applied to the upper extremity on upper extremity functionality in individuals diagnosed with CP. The 26 participants included in our study were randomized into 2 groups as control group and neural mobilization. Groups were taken into treatment for a total of 10 sessions twice a week (1 session 45-60 minutes). In our study, the spasticity of the cases was measured with the "Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)", Functional Abilities with the "Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (Wee-FIM), "Manual Ability Classification System (MACS)", "Assessment of Upper Extremity Related Abilities (ABILHAND-Kids)", "Box and Block Test (BBT)", "Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT)" for gross and fine grasps, and "ReactionSpeed (RS)" was used to measure reaction speed. After treatment, significant change was obtained in the control group (p<0.05). In the neural mobilization group, significant changes were also obtained in WEE-FIM, BBT, NHPT, and RS values after treatment (p<0.05). In the comparison between groups, significant differences were obtained in WEE-FIM, ABILHAND-Kids, BBT, NHPT, and RS values. It has been observed that neural mobilization techniques applied to the upper extremities of individuals with CP, in addition to traditional physical therapy, showed beter improvements when added to thetraditional physical therapy program. However, these results needto be confirmed by future studies.