Effects of Exercise Training With Proprioceptive Equipment on Proprioceptive and Functional Status of Children with Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injury

摘要

Objective: Decreased proprioception in Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury (OBPI) reduces thequality of functional movement. Hence, the aim of our study was to evaluate the effects ofexercise training with additional proprioceptive equipments on the functional status andproprioceptive sense in children with OBPI.Methods: Forty children with OBPI were randomly divided into two groups. Passive, active andactive-assisted range of motion and stretching exercises were included in home-based program(HP) group while additional exercises with proprioceptive equipments were also added in theproprioceptive training (PT) group. After 6 weeks, proprioceptive perception and functionallevel were compared to pre-treatment results.Results: Proprioceptive perception at the beginning and at the end of the movement increasedin both groups (p<0.05). The Active Movement Scale (AMS) scores increased significantly onlyin some movements in both groups (p<0.05). AMS scores of shoulder abduction and externalrotation in PT group were better than HP group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Home exercise program and proprioceptive exercise training both improveproprioceptive sense and functional status in children with OBPI. The proprioceptive exercisetraining seems to be more beneficial in improving functional movements of shoulder.