Comparison between Virtual Reality and Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy on Upper Limb Function in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

Hemiparetic cerebral palsy is more impairment of one side of the body as a result of non-progressive disturbances in premature brain. We study the present compared effect of constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) with virtual reality (VR) on upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy. In this single center study, 24 children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy were subdivided in 3 different groups (CIMT group, VR group, and control groups). One and half hours sessions of practice were executed every other day for 4-week. Measures were conducted pre, post and 3-month after the therapeutic periods by Pediatrics Motor Activity Log and Bruininks-Oseretsky. Samples were analysis by statistical methods. Data analysis showed a non-significant difference between VR and CIMT groups (speed and dexterity means in VR: 1.22± 0.23, CIMT: 1.35 ±0.37). Data analysis for follow up session indicated a non-significant difference between post-test and follow up for 3 groups. Results showed positive effect of both interventions, it can be possible to substitute VR with CIMT to improve the upper limb function of children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.