Efficacy Study of an Interactive Robot for the Rehabilitation of the Upper Limb in Children With Cerebral Palsy

In the researchers' words

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a major cause of impairments in child population. This disease justifies an intensive and prolonged multidisciplinary rehabilitation which can be optimised by robotics. Our team has developed a robot designed to rehabilitate the child's upper limb. This robot allows the patient to perform active, passive, or assisted exercises. This therapy is designed to promote motor development in children with CP. Its finality is to improve patients' quality of life and participation. Several pilot studies evaluated the efficacy of robotic assisted therapy in children with CP but none RCT has been done. Then, the aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of robotic-assisted therapy in children with cerebral palsy by evaluating the 3 fields of the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) and performing a prospective randomized controlled single blind trial. Therefore, all patients will benefit from a classical rehabilitation as a basis. Furthermore, patients of the control and experimental groups will receive a supplement of classical rehabilitation and robotic-assisted therapy, respectively.