Effectiveness of intensive motor learning approaches from working on a vertical surface on hemiplegic children’s upper limb motor skills, a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study compares the effect of intensive motor learning approaches on improving the quality of upper extremity skills in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) by working on vertical surfaces versus horizontal surfaces during rehabilitation sessions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty UCP children of both sexes were randomized into two equal groups. All participants received 60 min of intensive motor learning approaches three days/week for three successive months. These approaches included constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), in which children wore a splint or sling on the unaffected upper limb, as well as hand-arm bimanual intensive training (HABIT) that requires the use of both hands during specific play-based activities. The control group received training on a horizontal surface while the child sat in front of an elbow-height table while the study group (vertical surface training) sat or stood in front of a wall/mirror/board. The task requirements were graded to ensure success. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were detected between the mean values of post-treatment of all scorers, with a greater percentage of improvement in favor of the study group. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that working on a vertical surface improved upper limb motor skills more significantly than working on a horizontal surface.