Plyometric Training for Children with Erb's Palsy

Children with Erb's palsy often have residual weakness limiting their participation in many activities. Plyometric training is used to improve muscle power. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of plyometric training on shoulder strength and functional activities in children with Erb's palsy. Forty children with unilateral obstetric Erb's palsy were randomly assigned into two groups; the control group received a selected physical therapy program and the study group received the same physical therapy program in addition to plyometric training. All children received 6 weeks of training and were assessed before and after treatment for shoulder strength and functional activities using hand-held dynamometer and the active movement scale. Significant improvement was found in all measured variables of the control and study groups when comparing their before and after treatment mean values except for the active shoulder external rotation movement of the control group. Plyometric training combined with physical therapy program may improve shoulder strength and functional activities in children with Erb's palsy.