Effects of Elastic Resistance Upper-Limb Training on Strength and Functional Ability in Children with Spina Bifida
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68279/88xz2g89Keywords:
Exercise Therapy; Muscle Strength; Rehabilitation; Resistance Training; Spina Bifida.Abstract
Background: Upper-limb strength and dexterity are important for mobility and everyday task performance in children with spina bifida, yet evidence regarding targeted elastic-resistance upper-limb training remains limited. Objective: To determine the effect of adding elastic-resistance upper-limb training to routine rehabilitation on handgrip strength and gross manual dexterity in children with spina bifida. Methods: An assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted at Hope Rehabilitation Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. Forty children aged 6–16 years were randomized to elastic-resistance upper-limb training plus routine rehabilitation (n=20) or routine rehabilitation alone (n=20). Training was delivered three times weekly for eight weeks. Handgrip strength and gross manual dexterity were assessed using the Jamar Handgrip Dynamometer and Box and Block Test, respectively. Change-score comparisons and baseline- ANCOVA were performed. Results: Handgrip strength increased by 4.84±1.42 kgf in the intervention group versus 0.89±1.01 kgf in controls, with a between-group difference of 3.95 kgf (95% CI, 3.16–4.74; p<0.001). Box and Block Test scores increased by 8.65±2.33 versus 1.85±1.49 blocks, respectively, yielding a difference of 6.80 blocks (95% CI, 5.55–8.05; p<0.001). Baseline- group effects remained significant for both outcomes (p<0.001). All participants completed follow-up, and no intervention-related adverse events were reported. Conclusion: Adding eight weeks of supervised elastic-resistance upper-limb training to routine rehabilitation produced greater short-term improvements in handgrip strength and gross manual dexterity than routine rehabilitation alone
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ayesha Sarwar, Qubra Kiran, Samreen Saba, Rabia Waheed (Author)
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