title: Shoulder Function and Bone Mineralization in Children with Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury After Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation During Weight-Bearing Exercises.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight-bearing exercises on shoulder function and bone mineral density (BMD) in children with obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a randomized controlled trial. Forty-two children with OBPI were recruited. Their ages ranged from 3 to 5 years. They were randomly assigned either to control group (received a selected program) or study group (received the same program as the control group and neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight bearing). Mallet grading system and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were used to evaluate shoulder function and BMD respectively at entry and after intervention (3 months later).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences of the outcome measures were detected at entry. Significant differences were observed within both groups when the pre and post treatment scores within each group were compared. Finally, significant differences favoring the study group were recorded when their post treatment scores were compared.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neuromuscular electrical stimulation during weight bearing exercises is an effective and simple method to improve shoulder function and BMD in children with OBPI.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (formerly Salamn bin Abdulaziz University), Saudi Arabia; and Department of Physical Therapy for Disturbances of Growth and Development in Children and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ragab Kamal
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Elnaggar
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001720:Birth Injuries / Q000150:complications; D015519:Bone Density; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010246:Paralysis, Obstetric / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055070:Resistance Training; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000294:innervation*