Robot-assisted Hand Rehabilitation for Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Pilot Study

Hand function is the most important for ADL and learning ability. Many cerebral palsy(CP) suffered problems with the gross motor dysfunction and hand function disability. An inability to use the upper extremity in daily life can lead to loss of independence with ADLs and of important occupations (eg, school). Robotic therapy can deliver larger amounts of upper extremity movement practice for these individuals. Although the Robotic therapy appears to provide some benefit for upper extremity motor abilities and participation but is of uncertain utility for cerebral palsy(CP). Objective: To investigate the effects of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation with a Gloreha device on hand function and the participation of ADL for children with cerebral palsy(CP). Five children with CP aged 6 to 18 years were recruited and received 12times of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation for 6 weeks of treatment (Sixty minutes a time, twice a week). The performance was assessed by a assessor for three times (pre-test, post-test, follow up at one month). The outcome measures Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Limb section(FMA-UE),Box and block test(BBT), Maximal voluntary contraction(MVC) of extensor digitorum communis(EDC), Flexor digitorum(FD), grasp strength, \& ABILHAND-Kids for ADL ability. Collected data will be analyzed with ANOVA test by SPSS version 20.0, and alpha level was set at .05. Our hypothesis are robot-assisted hand rehabilitation with a Gloreha device has positive effects on hand function and the participation of ADL for children with CP.