Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With and Without Constraint Induced Movement Therapy in Erb's Palsy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Erb's Duchenne paralysis constitutes the single commonest form of brachial plexus injury, brachial plexus injury (BPI) is unfortunately a rather common injury in newborn children. Incidence varies between 0.15 and 3 per 1000 live births in various series and countries. The constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been used to promote functional gains in individuals with neurological dysfunctions .The constraint-induced movement therapy consists of constraining movement of the non-affected upper extremity and providing intensive training to the involved upper extremity. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used for muscle strengthening, maintenance of muscle mass and strength during prolonged periods of immobilisation, selective muscle retraining, and the control of oedema.The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation with and without Constraint Induced Movement Therapy on Upper limb Function in Children with Erb's Palsy. It is a Randomized Controlled Trial.The sample size calculated by using OpenEpi or GPower. Data will be collected from Jinnah Hospital,Children Hospital,Lahore medical city hospital,Farooq hospital,Rising sun institute and PSRD. The patients will be selected through non-probability convenience sampling,will be divided into two groups. The Group A will receive habituation exercises for six weeks, three times per week for thirty minutes, along with application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for a period of 6 weeks four times a week and perform Constrained induced movement therapy techniques, each for 8 weeks.The interventions are consisted of 3weeks of casting the unaffected limb followed by 5 weeks of transference activities.. The Group B will be given neuromuscular electrical stimulation for a period of 6 weeks four times a week.Range of motion ,Flexibility exercises will be given as baseline treatment to both groups. The arm function was evaluated by the Mallet score system, while active abduction and external rotation range of motion were measured by a standard universal goniometer. Data will be analyzed by SPSS 25.

Official Title
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Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation With and Without Constraint Induced Movement Therapy on Upper Limb Function in Children With Erb's Palsy

Conditions
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Erb's Palsy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: EMS with CIMT
* Other: EMS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged between 2.5 to 8 years years Clinically diagnosed with erb's palsy/brachial plexus palsy Ability to cooperate with assessments and therapy Full passive ROMs in all motions at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints Exclusion Criteria: Cognitive impairment Contracture in the affected upper extremity Injured unaffected arm Visual problems likely to interfere with treatment/testing Previous orthopedic or neurological surgery Previous application of CIMT

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 2 Years
Maximum Age: 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: EMS with CIMT group<br> | Other: EMS with CIMT<br>* The interventions are consisted of 3weeks of casting the unaffected limb followed by 5 weeks of transference activities.The assisting hand assessment AHA was used to measure bimanual activity performance at baseline,8 weeks, 16 weeks. 20-minute application of currents and resistance exercises for the respective muscles of the area. The intervention group with 11 patients underwent a program of CIMT for one hour daily for 14 consecutive days or two hours per day, six days per week and a total of 12 weeks. A follow-up will be performed 12 weeks after the intervention. The healthy upper limb will be immobilized by orthosis or cast for six hours a day . Electrotherapy will be applied with TENS for 15 minutes at intervals of 1000ms and with a pulse duration of 50ms. The square wave will be chosen to ensure that there will be sufficient muscle contraction<br>|
| Active Comparator: EMS Group<br> | Other: EMS<br>* this group will only receive baseline exercises (ROM and flexibility exercises) than apply electrical stimulations at specific motor points. Electrotherapy will be applied with TENS for 15 minutes at intervals of 1000ms and with a pulse duration of 50ms. The square wave will be chosen to ensure that there will be sufficient muscle contraction<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Mallet scale Scores | The Mallet grading remains the most commonly used system in several obstetric brachial plexus centers. One feature of the Mallet score is that each grade is translated into certain degrees of deficiencies in both shoulder abduction and external rotation. | Baseline, 8th week and 16th week | 
| Change in Box and block test scores | the BBT has been commonly used in the pediatric field. It is particularly suitable for children for several reasons. First, the evaluation method of the BBT examines essential components of manual dexterity for developing children, such as grasping, holdi | Baseline, 8th week and 16th week |