Body Acupuncture Conjunction with Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Improves Motor Functions in Children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

Objective: Aimed to investigate the effectiveness of body acupuncture on motor function of the upper limb in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) conjunction with rehabilitation program.

Design: The study is a randomized controlled experimental trial. Children with CP were randomly divided into the acupuncture group (body acupuncture with rehabilitation) and the rehabilitation group. The muscle volume difference between the upper limbs, the fine motor scores of the Peabody developmental motor scale-2 (PDMS-FM) and the surface electromyography (SEMG) parameter-root mean square (RMS)-on upper limb muscles (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) of both groups were measured before and after a 12-week treatment.

Results: 37 children completed the study. In the two groups, differences in muscle volume, PDMS-FM scores and RMS values (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) were significantly improved, except PDMS-FM score difference and difference of RMS values (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) between the upper limbs in the rehabilitation group. Comparison post-treatment/pre-treatment change for two groups showed significant difference in affected upper limb PDMS-FM total score, PDMS-FM score difference between the upper limbs, affected upper limb RMS values and RMS value difference between the upper limbs in favor of the acupuncture group.

Conclusion: Our preliminary research indicates that body acupuncture therapy combined with rehabilitation may be more effective than rehabilitation alone, further improving muscle strength of affected upper limb and possibility of bimanual coordination in children with spastic hemiplegic CP.