Orthotic Hand Brace to Improve Range of Motion in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Overview

People with spastic cerebral palsy sometimes develop contractures in the hands, reducing their range of motion (ROM). This is especially problematic for children who need their hands to learn. Current treatments include typically bulky and uncomfortable orthotics and electrical stimulation, an effective treatment in alleviating pain and reducing spasticity. This device is intended to reduce the pain using electrical stimulation and comfortably stretch out contractures. The angles of each participant's finger joints were measured before and after using the device. The control group did not use electrical stimulation; the test group did. Additionally, the participants gave feedback on how the orthotic could be improved. The first of three trials was not statistically significant with an overall average change in finger angles of 1.88°, the second trial was statistically significant with an overall change of 3.27°, and the third trial was not statistically significant with one participant with a change of 39.93°. The control group changed 0.67° more than the test group in trial 1 and 0.50° more in trial 2. These results indicate that the proposed orthotic increases ROM, but that the TENS did not. However, feedback from participants determined that the TENS unit did relax the muscles, which was its intended purpose. Future testing will be done over a longer period and with more children with cerebral palsy. Children with cerebral palsy deal with chronic pain and are limited by reduced ROM, but this device can increase their ROM and overall quality of life.

Competition history

AJAS 2025 Category not listed

Related projects

ISEF · 2024