- Fizyoterapi Rehabilitasyon
- Vol: 26 Issue: 2
- Determination of Grip Contact Areas with Stereologic Measurement in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebr...
Determination of Grip Contact Areas with Stereologic Measurement in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy
Authors : Burcu Semin Akel, Aynur Demirel, Gul Baltaci
Pages : 86-92
Doi:10.21653/tfrd.280073
View : 14 | Download : 7
Publication Date : 2015-08-16
Article Type : Research
Abstract :Purpose: The aim of the study is to present a method used to estimate hand and finger contact areas on different sized objects and compare results of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) with healthy peers. Methods: A total of 51 children, 26 with hemiparetic CP classified as I or II according to Manuel Ability Classification System and had 1 or 1+ level spasticity as to Modified Ashworth Scale and 25 healthy peers were included to the study. The contact area was calculated by the Cavalieri principle of stereological estimation after children grasped cylindrical objects having diameters of 2.5, 4 and 5 cm. Results: The contact areas were found to be different at the thenar side for the grasped object with 2.5 cm diameter, and at the hypothenar side for the objects with 4 and 5 cm diameters (p<0.05). Discussion: Clinicians are more interested with thumb since the contribution of adductor spasticity in CP. However, hypothenar contribution should be also considered especially with objects having larger diameters. The data gained from the study can guide rehabilitation efforts towards improving hand function.Keywords : Cerebral Palsy, Hand, Muscle Spasticity, Hand Strength