• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.90-95
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between gross motor capacity and neuromuscular function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) through a short-term intensive intervention. Methods: Twenty-four children younger than 6 years of age (17 boys, 7 girls, mean $age{\pm}standard$ deviation, $42.71{\pm}14.43months$) who were diagnosed with CP underwent short-term intensive treatment for 8 weeks. An evaluation of gross motor function capacity using the gross motor function measure (GMFM-66 and GMFM-88) was performed to measure muscle strength, selective motor control (SMC), and spasticity, factors related to neuromusculoskeletal function. Changes in spasticity, strength, range of motion, selective motor function, and exercise intensity scores were evaluated in terms of the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) and ages. Results: The GMFM-88 and GMFM-66 scores significantly increased, by $4.32{\pm}4.04$ and $2.41{\pm}1.51%$, respectively, following the 8-week intervention. The change in the GMFM-66 score did not reflect a statistically significant difference in the GMFCS level. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the GMFM-88 score change in individuals at GMFCS Level III, the strength and spasticity of subjects at GMFCS Levels I-II did not significantly differ (p<0.05). The changes in the GMFM-66 scores for strength, SMC, range of motion (ROM), and spasticity significantly differed according to age (p<0.05) in children aged 36 months and older. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in strength, SMC, and spasticity (p<0.05) before and after intensive short-term treatment. Conclusion: The 8-week short-term intensive care intervention improved the motor function score of study participants, emphasizing the need for early intervention and additional research in this area.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.82-91
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• 2017

These are three case reports on developmental delay that were treated with Korean medicine more than one year. A child with spastic cerebral palsy was treated only with acupuncture in one case, and in another case, two children with cerebral palsy were treated with both acupuncture and Korean herbal medication: Gami-Dossi-pyengwisan and Gami-Guibiondam-tang. After more than a year of treatment period, all three children showed improvement of general condition and motor function, measured by Gross Motor Function Measure, compare to average of children with cerebral palsy. According to this result, Korean medicine treatment can be helpful in improvement of spasticity and developmental delay due to cerebral palsy. Further studies with more cases and well-designed randomized controlled trials should be performed to establish proper guideline of Korean medicine treatment for cerebral palsy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate tactile sense perception of the lower extremities according to physical function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was conducted on 15 children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. Physical function measurement items included dynamic balance ability, gross motor function level, and lower extremity ankle spasticity. The lower extremity tactile sensation uses a monofilament to measure the sole of the first metatarsal head, the sole of the fifth metatarsal head, the heel, the anterior part of the shin midway between the patella and the ankle joint, the kneecap, the upper anterior iliac spine, and the knee. A total of six measurements were taken in the mid-femoral region of the bone. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the degree of body function and lower extremity tactile perception. Results: As the physical function of children with spastic cerebral palsy deteriorated, there was a decrease in tactile sensation in the thigh area corresponding to the proximal lower extremity. (p <.05). Conclusion: Children with spastic cerebral palsy and poor physical function have sensory loss not only in the distal part but also in the proximal part, so a treatment approach that recognizes and improves it is necessary.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 1998

Thumb adduction is an abnormal pattern typically noted in children with spastic cerebral palsy. This abnormal pattern can limit hand function, specifically in the type and quality of prehension pattern used and in the coordination of release. This ABAB single-subject research was designed to examine the effects of short thumb opponens splint on hand function in cerebral palsy. The subject was a 4 years and 8 months old boy with right upper extremity spasticity. The child was fitted with a short thumb opponens splint, which was worn for 8 hours per day during the daytime. Two different measures were used: (a) prehension component scores; (b) Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency. Data was collected three times a week for 10 weeks. Visual analysis of data indicate that after the application of a short thumb opponens splint, improvements were noted in the prehension pattern and fine motor functional task. The results of this study suggest that short thumb opponens splint may prove efficaciousness in the treatment of the child with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2021

Tetrasomy 18p is a genetic syndrome caused by an isochromosome consisting of two copies of the short arm of chromosome 18. Clinically, pediatric cases of tetrasomy 18p manifest with global developmental delay, similar to most cases of chromosomal abnormality. In addition, it causes various symptoms including abnormal muscle tone. We report a case of an infant with global developmental delay and remarkable spasticity, the typical phenotype of bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. However, she had a subtle anomaly in her face, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were inconsistent with her strong upper motor neuron signs. Upon genetic testing, she was determined to have an 18p isochromosome, confirming de novo non-mosaic tetrasomy 18p. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that includes developmental delay caused by a non-progressive lesion in the developing brain. During diagnostic workup in patients with cerebral palsy, genetic testing should be considered when there are minor physical anomalies or equivocal MRI findings.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of general exercise after blood flow restriction on trunk muscles thickness in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Twenty children with cerebral palsy were assigned randomly to an experimental (n = 10) or a control (n = 10) group. The experimental group performed general exercise after blood flow restriction, while the control group performed general exercise alone. The study used an ultrasonic instrument to measure trunk muscles thickness. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine differences before and after treatment, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between treatment groups. Results: From a comparison within the groups, the experimental and control groups showed significant difference in trunk muscle thickness after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk muscle thickness than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, general exercise after blood flow restriction effectively improves trunk muscle thickness in children with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.559-565
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• 2013

This study examined the effect of therapeutic horseback riding in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Participants were placed in a therapeutic riding (TR) group (n=7) or physical therapy (PT) group (n=7). This study was then conducted for 30 minutes, twice a week, for 8 weeks. The gross motor function measure (GMFM), range of motion (ROM), and spasticity test (ST) were analyzed pre-test (TR0 and PT0), mid-test (TR1 and PT1), and post-test (TR2 and PT2). We used the SPSS 12.0 statistical software for data analysis. We observed significant changes in GMFM Dimension C (crawling and kneeling), D (standing), and E (walking, running, and jumping) between TR2 and TR0 (P < 0.05). In the control group, GMFM Dimension B (sitting) and E showed significant changes between PT2 compared to PT0 (P < 0.05). In future studies we will consider using a therapeutic riding program for the treatment of children with disorders.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.24-36
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to provide clinical evidence of herbal medicine treatment for cerebral palsy by reviewing randomized controlled trials conducted in China. Methods We searched literatures dated up to 17 May, 2017 in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and evaluated methodological quality of those studies using 'Risk of Bias' tool. Results Sixteen studies were selected for analysis. These studies indicated that the total effective rate, motor function, self-care, muscle spasticity were significantly improved in the herbal medicine treatment group, as compared to the control group. The most-commonly-used herbs were Poria (茯?), Astragali Radix (黃?), Glycyrrhizae Radix (甘草), and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (白朮). There were no serious adverse events found that were associated with herbal medicine treatment. The methodological quality of included studies was generally unclear or low. Conclusions This study shows that the herbal medicine treatment can be effective and safe in treating cerebral palsy. Further well-designed clinical trials with high methodological quality and appropriate assessment tools need to be performed to solidify these findings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.163-172
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to provide experimental evidence and theoretical background for the applicability of bilateral transfer paradigm to the rehabilitation programs for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Children with hemiplegia, which means unilateral motor disabilities, display abnormal motor and postural patterns of the affected side due to hemiparesis, spasticity, and sensory disorders, resulting in a decreased motor abilities of the affected side compared to unaffected side. Accordingly, they tend to rely on the unaffected limb for everyday activities, which further deteriorates the functions of the affected side by causing associated reaction, abnormal postural patterns, and hypertonus. Rehabilitation programs developed for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy include neurodevelopmental treatment, application of cast or splint to unaffected limb, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and task oriented model. These programs, however, have several drawbacks, such as discontinuity in treatment effect and psychological hatred to the force use of the affected side. In order to solve these problems and enhance the efficiency of the rehabilitation programs, it is required to maximize the use of the affected side without hatred. Characteristics of the control system, such as temporal coupling and spatial assimilation between limbs and neural crosstalk at different levels of central motor pathway, suggest that the bilateral transfer paradigm may enhance the efficiency of the rehabilitation programs for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.231-236
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• 2019

Background/Objectives: This paper proposes a dual mode feedback-controlled cycling system for children with spastic cerebral palsy to rehabilitate upper extremities. Repetitive upper limb exercise in this therapy aims to both reduce and analyze the abnormal torque patterns of arm movements in three- dimensional space. Methods/Statistical analysis: We designed an exercycle robot which consists of a BLDC motor, a torque sensor, a bevel gear and bearings. Mechanical structures are customized for children of age between 7~13 years old and induces reaching and pulling task in a symmetric circulation. The shafts and external frames were designed and printed using 3D printer. While the child performs active/passive exercise, angular position, angular velocity, and relative torque of the pedal shaft are measured and displayed in real time. Findings: Experiment was designed to observe the features of a cerebral palsy child's exercise. Two children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy participated in the experiment and conducted an active exercise at normal speed for 3 sets, 15 seconds for each. As the pedal reached 90 degrees and 270 degrees, the subject showed minimum torque, in which the child showed difficulty in the pulling task of the cycle. The passive exercise assisted the child to maintain a relatively constant torque while visually observing the movement patterns. Using two types of exercise enabled the child to overcome the abnormal torque measured in the active data by performing the passive exercise. Thus, this system has advantage not only in allowing the child to perform the difficult task, which may contribute in improving the muscle strength and endurance and reducing the spasticity but also provide customizable system according to the child's motion characteristic. Improvements/Applications: Further study is needed to observe how passive exercise influences the movement characteristics of an active motion and how customized experiment settings can optimize the effect of pediatric rehabilitation for spastic cerebral palsy.