Robot-assisted Hand Rehabilitation for Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Pilot Study

Objective: To investigate the effects of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation with a Gloreha device on hand function and the participation of ADL for children with cerebral palsy(CP). Materials and Methods: Five children with CP aged 6 to 18 years were recruited and received 12times of robot-assisted hand rehabilitation for 6 weeks of treatment (Sixty minutes a time, twice a week). The performance was assessed by a assessor for three times (pre-test, post-test, follow up at one month). The outcome measures Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Limb section(FMA-UE),Box and block test(BBT), Maximal voluntary contraction(MVC) of extensor digitorum communis(EDC), Flexor digitorum(FD), Grasp strength, \& ABILHAND-Kids for ADL ability. Collected data will be analyzed with ANOVA test by SPSS version 20.0, and alpha level was set at .05. Our hypothesis are robot-assisted hand rehabilitation with a Gloreha device has positive effects on hand function and the participation of ADL for children with CP.