Effect of Sensory Interventions on Motor Function of Upper Limb in 8-12 Years Old Children with Spastic Hemiplegia

Introduction: Spastic hemiplegia is one of the most common types of cerebral palsy. Pathology of the central nervous system can alter normal development of the somatosensory cortex and develop sensory deficits. These deficits can decrease upper limp motor performances and skills and reduce the tendency to use the affected upper limp, so the quality of life is impaired in these children. Therefore, in this study, the effect of sensory interventions (as part of occupational therapy services that impact on the performance of these children have been less reported) on motor function of affected upper limb children with spastic hemiplegia was investigated. Material and Methods: In this study, three children with spastic hemiplegia participated using single-subject (A-B) design. During the baseline phase, motor function was measured by Box and Block for three sessions a week to record changes pattern. After an initial assessment, treatment phase began. In this phase, children received sensory training interventions in 12 sessions and 3 times a week. Treatment program was included two parts: tactile and proprioceptive stimulation as active, passive and playfulness. Training for each child was provided according to his/her condition and was graded so that progress, activities got more difficult with the child’s progress. At the end of each week, evaluation was done to record regularly changes after the treatment phase. As follow-up, children were evaluated in three sessions, every other day. Then results of 3 phases were analyzed. Results: In a visual analysis for each three children, slope in both treatment and baseline phases was accelerating but in treatment was more than baseline. The effect size was large in all of them. In 2SD method, the results of second and third subjects were approved. However, it was not significant for the first one. Conclusion: Sensory interventions as training program based on sensory deficits can be effective in upper limb motor function in spastic hemiplegia.