The effect of C-bar Splint on hand function in 8-12 years old spastic diplegic children

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by nonprogressive lesions. This disorder produces motor impairment deficits in early infancy. Hand function is essential in performing activities of daily living for everyone، including individuals with cerebral palsy. Adequate first web space is essential for web space expansion، thumb abduction، and a wide range of thumb mobility and hand function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of C-bar splint on hand function and strength and also wrist and thumb range of motion (ROM) of dominant hand of 8-12 years old children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

The design of this study was before- after and quasi-experimental. According with inclusion criteria، 8 to 12 years old children with spastic diplegia from physical – motor special school at Tehran (8 boys and 5 girls)، were studied. They used a C-bar splint (40 degree of palmer abduction of thumb) for 8 weeks (6-8 hours during day and 4-6 hours at night). In this study، hand function was evaluated by Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test، hand strength by MIE dynamometer and thumb & wrist ROM by Goniometer. During intervention، they received routine occupational therapy program.

The results of this study showed significant improvement in hand function (P=0. 001)، and thumb range of motion (P=0. 02). The data did not show any significant improvement in wrist ROM and hand strength.

According to the result of this study، it seems that using C-bar splint can be an effective method in improvement of hand function and thumb ROM in 8-12 years old children with spastic diplegia.