Abstrato

Functional outcomes of verbal-directed training versus visual-directed training in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Wesaam S Elbagoury*, Tamer M. El-Saeed, Khaled A Olama, Mohamed I Kamel

Purpose: To compare the effect of verbal cueing versus visual cueing on functional outcomes of the more affected upper extremity in children with UCP. Materials and Methods: Thirty children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy of both sexes with ages ranging from 6 to 10 years old. They were assigned randomly into two study groups. Group A (Verbally-directed Training Group) is composed of fifteen children with unilateral cerebral palsy who received a functional training program for the more affected upper limb based on verbal cueing. They received motor learning exercises (specific daily living activities). Group B (Visually-directed Training Group) is composed of fifteen children with unilateral cerebral palsy who received the same training program received by group A, except that, it was based on visual cueing (watching demonstrating videos). The Assisting Hand Assessment Scale (AHA), The Melbourne Assessment Scale (MA2), and Jamar dynamometer were used to evaluate the functional outcomes of the more affected upper extremity. Both groups received exercises for 30 minutes per session, once a day, three sessions per week, for successive 4 weeks. Results: Our study showed that there was a significant increase in Bimanual activities, Upper limb movement quality, and handgrip strength of group B compared with that of group A. Conclusion: Visual training is more effective than verbal training to improve functions of the upper limb in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.