ROBOT ENHANCED THERAPY FOR IMPAIRED UPPER EXTREMITIES FUNCTIONS IN HEMIPLEGIC CHILDREN

Objective: Studying the effect of Robot Enhanced Therapy on hemiplegic children. Thirty six spastic hemiplegic children were selected from comprehensive rehabilitation center in Najran, ranged in age from nine to twelve years old divided randomly into two matched groups. The control group received the selected program for correcting upper limb in addition to occupational therapy, while the study group received the same selected program for correcting upper limb pathomechanics in addition to robot enhanced therapy. Both groups received treatment for one hour three times weekly for three successive months. Maximum hand grip strength, shoulder range of motion and grasping age equivalent were measured for both groups before and after intervention. Results: There was significant improvement in all the measuring variables for both groups in favor for study group. Conclusions: Robot assisted and computer enhanced hand therapy is an effective and promising method of hand function rehabilitation in hemiplegic children.