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

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.