THE EFFICACY OF UPPER EXTREMITY INHIBITIVE CASTING - A SINGLE-SUBJECTPILOT-STUDY

This pilot study was designed to examine the effects of short-term (48 -hr) upper extremity inhibitive casting, with an encased thermoplastic splint, on problems related to upper motor neuron damage. The subject was an 81/2-year-old girl with left upper extremity spasticity. Three different measures were used (a) rating of videotaped active movement s of the child; (b) the Modified Ashworth Scale, a clinical measure of spasticity, and (c) The Biodex System, a measure of torque during pas sive elbow flexion and extension. After cast removal, subjective impro vements were noted in the quality of active movement (through videotap es) and increased awareness and use of the casted band by the child (t hrough parents' reports). A trend toward decreased spasticity was demo nstrated by the Modified Ashworth Scale and a statistically significan t decrease in resistance to passive movement was shown by the Biodex r ecordings However, this reduction in symptoms was temporary, lasting l ess than 3 days. The results of this study suggest that short-term inh ibitory casting may prove efficacious in the treatment of the child wi th cerebral palsy, although further research is needed.