The role of neurotrophic factors in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

Improving the function of the upper limb in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the main tasks of rehabilitation treatment and socialization of the patient.
Objective: to determine the dynamics of the concentration of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) in the peripheral blood of children with CP during rehabilitation treatment using the non-invasive interface “brain – computer – exoskeleton of the hand” (“NIMK – exoskeleton of the hand”).
Patients and methods. 151 patients aged 12 to 18 years with spastic forms of CP were examined. The complex of rehabilitation treatment included training on the hardware and software complex “NIMK – Exokist-2”. The dynamics of the spasticity level, muscle strength in the paretic limbs, the level of household skills, the concentration of NTFs (brain growth factor – BDNF; neurotrophins 3 and 4/5 – NT-3, NT-4/5; fibroblast growth factors – FGF-1 and FGF-2) in peripheral blood were determined.
Results and discussion. A positive result was obtained from the use of the combined technique “NIMK – exoskeleton of the hand” in the rehabilitation of children with CP due to an increase in the upper limbs muscle strength, an increase in working capacity, an improvement in everyday skills and stability of attention. At the same time, a significant decrease in the concentration of a number of NTFs was noted: BDNF, NT-3 and NT4/5, FGF-1 and FGF-2 – on the 10th day after the completion of rehabilitation treatment.
Conclusion. The results of clinical and laboratory studies show that during the use of the “NIMK – exoskeleton of the hand” technique the improvement in the upper limbs motor functions in children with spastic forms of CP is associated with a decrease in the concentration of NTFs in the peripheral blood, which may indicate their active involvement in this process.

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