Under Water Exercises Versus Land Based Exercises in Treatment of Erb s Palsy

Background: Erb s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury which results from an injury to the fifth and sixth cervical nerves. It constitutes about 80-90% of all brachial plexus cases. Weak muscles should be allowed to participate in normal movement patterns through different therapeutic programs to regain normal range of motion and strength for Erb s Palsy children.Aim of the Study: This study was designed to compare between underwater and land based exercises effect on range of motion and isometric strength of shoulder flexion in children with unilateral Erb s palsy.Material and Methods: Thirty children with unilateral Erb s palsy from both sexes (16 boys and 14 girls) classified as grade 3 according to Mallet score system. Their ages ranged between 26-39 months, were randomly assigned into two equal groups: Under water intervention group and land based exercises group. Range of motion and isometric strength of shoulder flexion were measured by AutoCAD program and Hand Held Dynamometer respectively. Treatment program extended for 3 months, 3 sessions per week where evaluation for each child in both groups was done before and after it.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the measured parameters in both groups when comparing their pre and post treatment mean values. However, significant difference was recorded between post treatment mean values of the two groups after treatment in favor of underwater intervention group.Conclusion: The obtained results suggested that underwater exercises therapy is beneficial to improve range of motion and isometric strength of shoulder flexion in children with unilateral Erb s palsy.