Effect of Pulley System Exercise on Upper Limb Function in Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
- Journal
- American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Q1)
- Published
- 30 July 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Ahmed Mohamed, Ahmed Torad, Sara Elsebahy
- PMID
- 42527955
- DOI
- 10.1097/PHM.0000000000003110
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Rehabilitation (paper of the day, 31 July 2026).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pulley system exercises combined with conventional therapy on upper-limb function in children with hemiplegic CP. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 32 children aged 3-7 years with hemiplegic CP. Participants were allocated to an intervention group (A) receiving pulley system exercises alongside conventional therapy or a control group (B) receiving conventional therapy alone. Outcomes measured pre- and post-intervention included the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2), and isometric muscle strength. RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly, but the intervention group showed significantly greater gains in bimanual performance, motor coordination, and muscle strength compared to controls ( P <0.01). CONCLUSION: Incorporating structured pulley system exercises with conventional therapy significantly enhances upper-limb function in children with hemiplegic CP. This affordable, adaptable approach may optimize rehabilitation outcomes by delivering high-repetition, progressively loaded, task-specific practice.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.