Effects of Robotic Rehabilitation on Motor Functions in Children with Cerebral Palsy

• Published in: Meandros medical and dental journal 2018-09, Vol.19 (3), p.211-218
• Main Authors: Bilgilisoy Filiz, Meral, Toraman, Naciye Füsun, Çiftçi, Can Mehmet Ali, Çakır, Tuncay, Koldaş Doğan, Şebnem, Arslan, Hüseyin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cerebral palsy; Children; Children & youth; Fitness equipment; Gait; Mobility; Paralysis; Patients; Rehabilitation; Robotics; Robots; Spasticity; Statistical analysis; Studies; Tıp; Walking
• ISSN: 2149-9063; 2149-9063
• DOI: 10.4274/meandros.06078

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of robotic rehabilitation (RR) on spasticity and motor functions of children with varying types and functional levels of cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods: A total of 28 children were evaluated aged 6-16 years, with level 2-4 CP according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) who were planned to undergo 30 sessions of RR. Motor functions were evaluated before and after RR using the Gross Motor Function scale-66 (GMFS-66) B, C, D and E dimensions, gastrosoleus spasticity with the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and a target was defined for each patient with a Goal Attainment scale (GAS). Following the RR treatment, the efficacy was evaluated by grouping the patients according to the GMFCS level and the type of CP. Results: 11% of the patients were at level 2, 36% were at level 3, and 54% were at level 4.61% of them were identified as bilateral spastic, 21% unilateral spastic and 14% mixed type. The patients comprised 50% male and 50% female children with a mean age of 10.8±2.7 years. Mean participation in the RR program was 23±9.6 sessions. A statistically significant improvement was determined in the D dimension of the GMFS in the children at level 2 and 3 of GMFCS (p0.05). No differences were determined between the type of CP groups in respect of GMFS, MAS and GAS. Conclusion: It was concluded that the application of RR was of benefit for the children with CP at the level 2 and 3 of GMFCS in respect of the development of standing activities.