NCT06966544

Investigating the Effectiveness of Graded Motor Imagery Training in Children With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Investigating the Effectiveness of Graded Motor Imagery Training on Upper Limb Function, Proprioception, Functional Mobility, Balance and Quality of Life in Children With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Izmir Bakircay University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 7 Years – 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of graded motor imagery training on upper extremity motor function, proprioception, functional mobility, balance and quality of life in patients with obstetric brachial plexus injury in addition to conventional treatment. In this context, our aim is to identify new and potential physiotherapeutic approaches to address deficits in motor planning that have been shown to occur at the level of the central nervous system.

Detailed description

This study was planned as a randomized, controlled, single-blind study. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of graded motor imagery (GMI) training, performed in addition to conventional treatment of patients with obstetric brachial plexus injury, on upper extremity motor function, proprioception, functional mobility and quality of life. In parallel to the initial assessment, a conventional physiotherapy program was created that is individualized according to the functional status and severity of the effects in the children. In the GMI program, in addition to this program, the components of GMI training are applied to sequentially activate the cortical motor networks and develop cortical organization. All assessments of the participants before and at the end of the treatment are carried out by a blind physiotherapist.

Conditions

• Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Conventional Physiotherapy	All subjects to be included in our study were evaluated before and after treatment by a physiotherapist acting as a blinded evaluator. In the treatment, conventional physiotherapy approaches are applied twice a week for 8 weeks by the physiotherapist conducting the thesis study. In parallel with the initial evaluation, an individualized conventional physiotherapy program is created according to the functional status of the children and the severity and type of the affected area. The main topics of this program consist of the following: Normal range of motion exercises for shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers, strengthening exercises for scapulothoracic, shoulder, elbow, hand-wrist joints in all directions, stretching exercises for shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers (to be selected depending on the patient's involvement), scapulothoracic mobilization, glenohumeral mobilization and elbow according to possible limitations, hand-wrist joint mobilization techniques (myofascial release, gliding
OTHER	Graded Motor Imagery	All approaches applied to the conventional physiotherapy group are applied to this group in the same manner and duration (8 weeks-twice a week). However, in addition to conventional physiotherapy, progressive motor imagery (AMI) training program is being applied twice a week for 8 weeks. In the GMI program, in addition to this program, components of GMI training will be applied to sequentially activate cortical motor networks and improve cortical organization. These are; * Laterality training with the help of visuals selected in the first stage (0-2 weeks) * In the second stage, motor imagery activities designed in the form of scenarios to be developed specifically for motor activity deficiencies seen in OBPY (2-5 weeks) * In the third stage, a mirror therapy program will be prepared (5-8 weeks).

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-04
• Primary completion: 2025-06-20
• Completion: 2025-07-20
• First posted: 2025-05-12
• Last updated: 2025-05-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)