The Effects of Virtual Reality Patients With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

The Effects of Virtual Reality on Upper Extremity in Patients With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury

Obstetric brachial plexus injury is the flask paralysis of the arm, which emerges from a difficult birth. This results from the damage to the nerves from the C5 cervical root to T1. Following brachial plexus injury, movement impairment, a decrease in the joint range of motion, muscle contractures, motor disorders related to muscle weakness, and the loss of functional movements are commonly observed. Many rehabilitation programs for the upper extremity aim at developing functional improvement in addition to increasing the active range of motion of the related limb in children with Obstetric brachial plexus injury. Obstetric brachial plexus injury treatment includes both conservative and surgical interventions. The first intervention in all the Obstetric brachial plexus injury cases is conservative. In recent years, supporting the treatment with virtual reality exercises in addition to the conventional brachial plexus rehabilitation is a method being tested. The use of virtual reality treatment in physiotherapy and rehabilitation has substantially increased within the last 6-7 years. Virtual reality is a method that enables working with task-based techniques by creating stimulating and entertaining environments and especially using children's interest and motivation. Nintendo Wii, which is used in the virtual reality treatment, is a device that can be controlled wirelessly, consists of a system console, remote control for activity control, and a sensor perceiving the change in movements, and a display screen, and gives the opportunity to work with the person individually. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the conventional physiotherapy approach and virtual reality applications with Nintendo Wii, applied additionally in this study, on upper extremity functions in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury. They can directly be mentioned as the effects on muscle strength, normal joint range of motion, and functionality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• undergone primary or -if available- secondary surgery at least 6 months before
• Being between the ages of 5-13
• be affected by the C5-C6 (upper truncus)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with severe cognitive functional disorder
• Patients with cognitive functions inadequate for communication
• Patients with any neurological problems
• Patients who have a contracture preventing the upper extremity joints from performing activities