ABSTRACT

functionality of the affected upper limb in a subject with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.Methods : An 8-year old female subject suffering from a left hemiplegia was selected, and a single-subject A-B-A design was used. 8 session-measurements were made in the baseline (A), intervention (B) and follow-up (A) phases. During the intervention period, the SSE was additionally performed after regular rehabilitation therapy, and in the follow-up phases, the SSE was withdrawn in order to investigate the carry-over effects of treatment. The outcome measures used were a Bruininks-Oseretsky motor proficiency test and a grooved pegboard test, which were collected during all phases of the study. Also, a motion analysis for a seated forward reach task was performed before and after the intervention phase.Results : During the intervention phase, there were visible improvements in the function of the upper extremity, and these improvements were maintained with a general trend of reduction during the follow-up phase. In reach task analysis, the findings revealed that trunk compensation was reduced, while shoulder and elbow mobilities were increased after the intervention period, and the reaching motion pattern became relatively stable.Conclusion : This study shows the therapeutic possibility and clinical advantage of SSE as a long-term rehabilitation method for children with hemiplegic CP.