Efficacy of plyometric exercises on upper extremity function, selective motor control and hand grip strength in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled study

Background: Impairment in unimanual upper limb function is frequent among children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), which affects their ability to perform functional activities.Aim: To assess the efficacy of plyometric exercises on the function of upper extremity, selective motor control (SMC) and hand grip strength (HGS) in children with UCP.Design: This was a double-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial.Setting: Outpatient Clinics of Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University and Center for Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Rheumatology, Al-Agouza Hospital, Giza, Egypt.Population: Forty children with UCP, ranging in age from 8 to 12 years, were randomly allocated to two groups equal in numbers.Method: Children were allocated to receive conventional therapy (CONV-group; n = 20) or plyometric exercises (PLYO-group; n = 20) for 45 min. In addition, children of both groups received selected physical and occupational therapy programs (each lasted for 30 min) twice a week over 3-month. The intervention was delivered on non-consecutive days. Upper extremity function, SMC and HGS were assessed by using quality of upper extremity skills test (QUEST), Test of arm selective control and pneumatic squeeze bulb dynamometer, respectively.Results: Overall, 35 children (18 in the CONV-group, 17 in the PLYO-group) completed data collection and treatment. With-in group comparison showed significant improvement in the study groups while post-treatment comparisons revealed a significant difference from mean difference in upper extremity function is 9.55 (8.71:10.39), SMC is 2.12 (1.51:2.72) and HGS is 2.91 (2.13:3.68) (p < 0.05; 95% Confidence interval) in favor of the PLYO-group.Conclusions: Plyometric exercises have the capability to enhance upper extremity function and strength in children with UCP.