Effect of reaching training combined with electrical stimulation in infants with brachial plexus palsy: a single subject design
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-2950/19037028012021Keywords:
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies, Electric Stimulation, PhysiotherapyAbstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reaching training combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on active upper limb movement in infants with perinatal brachial palsy (PBP). Experimental singlecase A-B design with follow-up. Two infants participated in the study, one girl of 7 months and one boy of 10 months
of age. Data on infant’s upper limb function (Active Movement Scale) were documented weekly. After six baseline assessments (A), 3 times per 2 weeks, intervention consisted of applying FES Neurodyn® to the deltoid muscle combined with objects reach training, encouraging abduction and anterior shoulder flexion above 90º, for six weeks, totaling 15 visits (B). The infants were reevaluated twice after a period
of 15 and 30 days without intervention (follow up). The total score obtained on each evaluation day was plotted graphically. Electrostimulation was well accepted, with no side effects. Both infants showed improvement in the active movement of the affected upper limb after the intervention and the gains were maintained at follow-up, an increase of 9 and 7 points for infants 1
and 2, respectively. Six weeks of intervention resulted in individual
changes in infant’s upper limb function, mainly increased active
range of motion in shoulder flexion and abduction and elbow flexion. The results of this study suggest the use of electrical stimulation as an adjunct to training the use of the affected upper limb of infants with PBP.
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