Vestibular Stimulation Essay

The current study investigated the effectiveness of vestibular stimulation from selected head positions on fine motor skills and pinch strength in children with hemiparesis. It has been demonstrated that children with a unilateral motor disability, such as hemiplegic CP, may have difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as writing or cutting with scissors. Activities requiring bilateral manipulation are the most difficult to perform [19].
Selection of vestibular stimulation from prone position in this study comes in agreement with Umphred et al. [20] who reported that each position (side lying, prone or sitting) affect the static position of the vestibular system differently and may differently affect the muscle tone and hence affect the power and range of motion.
Before treatment there was significant affection in motor function of the upper extremity performance in the three groups. This comes in agreement with Sutcliffe et al. [21] who reported that impaired hand function is a major debilitating factor for the performance of activities of daily living in hemiplegic CP. The impairment of the hand is often the result of damage to the motor cortex and cortico spinal pathways responsible for the fine motor control of the hand and fingers. As a result,

The activities need to be pitched at a level, which stimulates and challenges but is within the child's capabilities. The effectiveness of facilitation of sensory integeration through the vestibular stimulation is a major component of sensory integerative treatment. Activities involved in this type of approach leads the development of good body scheme, self-image, integration of primitive reflexes, balance, postural stability, ability to motor plan, coordination of two sides of the body, and eye-hand coordination [25].