The Effect of Action Observation Therapy on Upper Extremity Function in Children With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Introduction: Musculoskeletal problems in the upper limb (UL) caused by nerve damage following Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury (OBPI) and disorders affecting the use of the UL can limit activities of daily living (ADLs) and limit the child's participation in school and society. Method: Twenty-six children with OBPY aged between 6-17 years participated in the study and were randomised AOT and Photo Observation (PO) groups in equal numbers by stratified randomisation. In the 15-session treatment, a total of 18 ADL activities related to personal care, dressing, eating and preparation, transfer and mobilisation activities, reaching, and sports activities were studied with six exercises per session. The AOT group watched each ADL activity for two minutes through pre-prepared videos and then repeated the movement they watched for three minutes. The PO group observed the photographs taken from the video for two minutes and then practised the movement described for three minutes. The same sequence was continued for six exercises and one session was completed in approximately 30 minutes. Abilhand-Kids (AK), Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT), Modified Push-up Test (MPT), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Lateral Reach Test (LRT), Brachial Plexus Outcome Measurement (BPOM), Gilbert and Raimondi Score (GRS), Box Block Test (BBT) were performed before and after the treatment.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal problems in the upper limb (UL) caused by nerve damage following Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury (OBPI) and disorders affecting the use of the UL can limit activities of daily living (ADLs) and limit the child's participation in school and society. No study investigating the effect of EGT in children with OBPY has been found in the literature. Based on this deficiency, we aimed to investigate the effect of EGT in children with OBPY in a randomised controlled study.

Hypotheses of our study H0: There is no difference between Action Observation Therapy and Photo Observation in improving upper extremity functional skills in children with OBPY.

H1: There is a difference between Action Observation Therapy and Photo Observation in improving upper extremity functional skills in children with OBPY.

Method: Twenty-six children with OBPY aged between 6-17 years participated in the study and were randomised AOT and Photo Observation (PO) groups in equal numbers by stratified randomisation. In the 15-session treatment, a total of 18 ADL activities related to personal care, dressing, eating and preparation, transfer and mobilisation activities, reaching, and sports activities were studied with six exercises per session. The AOT group watched each ADL activity for two minutes through pre-prepared videos and then repeated the movement they watched for three minutes. The PO group observed the photographs taken from the video for two minutes and then practised the movement described for three minutes. The same sequence was continued for six exercises and one session was completed in approximately 30 minutes. Abilhand-Kids (AK), Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT), Modified Push-up Test (MPT), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Lateral Reach Test (LRT), Brachial Plexus Outcome Measurement (BPOM), Gilbert and Raimondi Score (GRS), Box Block Test (BBT) were performed before and after the treatment.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between the ages of 6-18
* OBPY diagnosed in Type 1, Type 2a, Type 2b group according to Narakas classification system
* Triceps brachii muscle strength above 3/5 in manual muscle strength assessment
* Family and child agree to take part in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of upper extremity surgery and Botox in the last 6 months
* Difficulty in understanding the commands given
* Visual and hearing problems
* Finding of shoulder dislocation
* Orthopaedic problems associated with OBPY