Physical Therapy System for Children with Hemiplegia

The paper describes a novel system and a physical therapy method for rehabilitating the affected limbs of infants and children diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Currently, the most effective procedure for the treatment of cerebral palsy is constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), which includes limiting the movement of the unaffected arm to encourage the use of the affected arm. Children diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy may benefit from self-generated motor activity produced when using their affected limb by constraining their unaffected limb and applying a variety of standard reinforcement techniques. Such "ConstraintInduced Movement Therapy" has shown promise when applied to young children and infants diagnosed with hemiplegia. Behaviorally, these children hold their affected arms flexed at the elbow, and tend to clench the fist. Currently, effective procedures for training children to use their affected arm have relied only on behavioral reinforcement techniques. These techniques facilitate grasping skills only, which may lead to significant impairment of hand opening. This paper describes a novel biofeedback system (U.S. Patent Application No. 61/167/679, patent pending) that provides therapeutic treatment for young cerebral palsy sufferers 7–25 months old. The device comprises a position sensor system, transceivers, and signal processing system, and will interface with an audio/video output system to provide positive biofeedback in the form of pleasant sound (music) and images for psychological reinforcement of constructive, habitual muscle motions, such as fist opening, clapping, and arm rising. Key-words: Cerebral Palsy, constraint-induced movement therapy, biofeedback device.