The effects of static anti pronation splint on dominant upper extremity function in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children with 8 to 12 years old

Cerebral palsy (CP) children are the most referral patients to occupational therapy centers. Hand function is important in activity of daily living. There is a hand dysfunction in most cerebral palsy children. Orthosis and splint are commonly used to improve the position، range of motion، quality of movement، arm and hand function. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of static anti-pronation splint on dominant upper extremity function in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children with 8 to 12 years old. This interventional study is in a before-after design for two group case and control. Thirty spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children with 8 to 12 years old who had the inclusion criteria، were randomly assigned to case and control group. Patients of case group used a static anti-pronation splint for 2 months، 8 hours daily. In this study the Jebsen Taylor test was used to evaluate upper extremity function، the Goniometer was used to measure ROM of elbow، forearm and wrist، the Modified Ashworth Scale was used to assess spasticity of elbow، forearm and wrist. Power grip and pinch were assessed with MIE device. In the case group results showed a significant improvement in upper extremity function (0. 026)، forearm supination ROM (0. 007)، wrist extention ROM (0. 005)، forearm muscle pronator spasticity (0. 001)، wrist muscle flexsor spasticity (0. 009)، power grip (0. 001) and pinch (0. 001). The data did not show significant improvement on elbow extention ROM (0. 075)، elbow muscle flexsor spasticity (0. 164). In comparison with control group، the data showed a significant improvement in upper extremity function (P=0. 001)، forearm supination ROM (p=0. 034)، wrist extention ROM (P=0. 042)، forearm muscle pronator spasticity (P=0. 009)، power grip (P=0. 001) and pinch (P=0. 001). The data did not show significant improvement on elbow extention ROM (P=0. 140)، elbow muscle flexsor spasticity (P=0. 638) and wrist muscle flexsor spasticity (P=0. 105). The findings show that using static anti-pronation splint for 2 months، 8 hours a day، can be an effective method to improve upper extremity function، range of motion of forearm and wrist، forearm spasticity and power grip and pinch in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children with 8 to 12 years old.