International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

A Novel Approach to Upper Limb Task Specific Training in Children with Hemiparesis

Auwal Abdullahi and Auwal Ali Mohammed

Introduction: Studies of task specific training in children traditionally make children to perform tasks for some periods of time. However, this method may not show clearly how much task was practiced. Recently, alternative way of measuring amount of task practice has been proposed. This method uses the number of task repetition. Task repetition up to 300 times per day was possible in adults. Feasibility of this amount of task practice is however not clear in children.

Aim: The aim of this study was to find out the feasibility of 300 task repetitions spread over 3 sessions per day, and that whether the intervention can cause upper limb pain.

Method: Seventeen children with hemiparesis were included in the study. They were made to practice 5 tasks, each 20 times per session, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. PMAL and TAUT were used to measure motor function at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks post-intervention. The data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Result: The result of the study showed a significant effect of task specific training from baseline to 2 and 4 weeks post-intervention on TAUT (AOP, QOU & AOU) and PMAL (AOU & QOU), and no evidence on increased upper limb pain on VAS from baseline. Interpretation: The result indicates the feasibility and effectiveness of 300 repetitions of task practice spread over 3 sessions per day in children with hemiparesis.