Effectiveness of Armeo Spring Robotic Therapy in the Function of the Upper Limb of Children With Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy Infiltrated With Botulinum Toxin

In the researchers' words

Background: Unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) generates an impact on daily activities, mainly due to the functional limitation of the affected upper limb. The use of technologies such as Armeo spring robotic therapy seeks to improve upper limb mobility through innovative and motivating training that facilitates movement. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of Armeo spring robotic therapy versus conventional occupational therapy regarding the changes in upper limb functionality of children with unilateral spastic CP infiltrated simultaneously with botulinum toxin A (BTA). Patients and methods: Randomized clinical trial of parallel groups, in children between 4 and 10 years of age diagnosed with unilateral spastic CP and infiltrates with BTA, who received treatment of conventional occupational therapy (group I) or Armeo spring robotic therapy (group II). The intervention consists of 15 sessions of 40 minutes for 5 weeks, 3 times a week. An initial evaluation is applied with QUEST, ABILHAND-Kids, and MACS, which are re-evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Hypothesis: Armeo spring robotic therapy will obtain better results than conventional occupational therapy in relation to the functionality of the upper limb at the level of manipulative function, quality of movement of the limb and the performance of daily activities. Expected results: The results of the QUEST and…