Dance as movement therapy is known to improve balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, mood, and quality of life among healthy adults. Literature informing the effect of dance therapy on functional-outcome based on the International Classification of Function (ICF) model is lacking for children with neuro-motor impairment. Thus, the current study aimed to review the effect of various traditional dance forms on functioning based on the ICF model in children with neuro-motor disorders. The findings will inform and guide therapists and clinicians on effective utilization of dance therapy as an adjunct therapeutic tool. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted between 2012 and 2022 through PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. A total of 17 articles were included: 3 review articles, 2 randomized control trials, 9 quasi-experimental studies, and 3 case reports. Articles reporting effects of dance in recreational settings, in age groups other than children and adolescents, in disabilities due to conditions other than neuro-motor origin, or children with severe intellectual disability were excluded. High-quality evidence demonstrated positive effects of dance therapy on body function domain in children with neuro-motor impairments. Review presented limited and low-to-moderate quality literature reporting effect of dance therapy on functions related to activity domain; whereas there is low quality inconclusive evidence on effect of dance therapy on participation of children with neuro-motor impairment. Thus, the review concludes that dance therapy is an effective adjunct tool to improve body function domain of children with neuro-motor disorders.
Purpose
Hand impairment post-stroke is a very common and important rehabilitation goal for functional independence. Advanced therapy options such as an app. therapy provides repetitive training, which may be beneficial for improving fine motor function. This study aims to evaluate the effect of app-based therapy compared to conventional hand therapy in improving dexterity in individuals with stroke.
Methodology
In total, 39 individuals within the first year of stroke with Brunnstrom stage of hand recovery IV to VI were randomly divided into three groups. All three groups received 60 min of therapy for 21 sessions over a period of 30 days. Group A received conventional hand therapy; Group B received app. therapy, while Group C received conventional therapy along with the app. therapy. All participants were assessed on the Nine-Hole Peg Test and Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test at the beginning and after completion of 21 sessions of intervention. Kruskal–Wallis (H) test and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis.
Results
All three groups improved on hand function post-treatment. However, Group C demonstrated significant improvement with 16%–58% increase in hand function performance on outcome measures (p < 0.05).
Findings
Findings of the present study demonstrate improvement in dexterity with the app. therapy and combination therapy, in comparison to conventional therapy alone in individuals with stroke.
Originality
This experimental study focuses the first time on a structured protocol using an enabling technology adjunct to conventional physical therapy to improve hand function in individuals with stroke, which opens up the further scope in Neurorehabilitation.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0144/
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