The Effectiveness of Using the HandTutor Hand Simulator and Stabilometric Postural Control Using the Biofeedback Tear in Preschool and Primary School Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background. Currently, mechanotherapy is widely used in the rehabilitation of mainly adult patients and adolescents. The possibilities of using this technique in children of early, preschool and primary school age are limited due to the minimal presence of specialized devices.

The aim of the study is the assessment of the effectiveness of a comprehensive rehabilitation program with the inclusion of a HandTutor hand simulator and stabilometrical postural control using the biofeedback method in preschool and primary school age children suffering from infantile cerebral palsy (ICP).

Materials and methods. 40 children aged 3 to 7 years with motor disorders with a diagnosis of ICP were under observation. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated using scales and hardware measurement data (HandTutor, “Amblyotron”).

Results. According to goniometric changes and data on the Ashworth scale, after rehabilitation, patients demonstrate a greater range of movements than before treatment (p < 0.05). The indicators of the area of the pressure center and its fluctuations have significantly improved in the form of improved stability (p £ 0.01), the pattern of vertical posture, walking and postural control in general.

Conclusion. After treatment, patients showed a marked decrease in the degree of muscle spasticity of the affected limb, an increase in muscle strength, an improvement in fine and large hand motor skills, and manual skills. Thus, the results of the study demonstrate the high effectiveness of biomechanical methods of influence, namely HandTutor and “Amblyotron”, on the motor sphere of patients with severe motor disorders.

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