Postural control via electrical stimulation and its effect on ventilatory functions in cerebral palsied children

ABSTRACT

Thirty subjects from both sexes participated in this study, their ages ranged from 5 to 11 years with mean 7 years. They were randomly classified into two groups [study group 20 patients and control group 10 patients]. Measuring pulmonary functions and chest expansion were done for both groups before and after application of treatment program. Both groups received program of treatment 5 times/week for 16 weeks. The program of treatment for the study group included 30 minutes electrical stimulation for the back muscles followed by neurodevelopmental technique [NDT], while control group received only NDT. The results of the study group revealed significant improvement in all pulmonary function parameters except the small air ways measurements showed insignificant increase post-treatment. Also, the chest expansion values showed highly significant improvement in all evaluated parameters