Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of electromyographic biofeedback motion sensing game on upper limb function in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP).Methods From March, 2013 to February, 2014, 41 children with OBPP were randomly assigned into conventional rehabilitation group (n=21) and motion sensing game group (n=20). Both groups underwent a comprehensive course of rehabilitation, and the motion sensing game group received upper limb occupational therapy in the motion sensing game, for four weeks. They were assessed with Mallet shoulder function scale and the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the deltoid muscle when abducting the shoulder before and after treatment.Results Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the Mallet scores between two groups (t=0.730, P>0.05), the scores improved after treatment in both groups (t>5.085, P<0.05), and the scores after treatment and the D-value scores before and after treatment were higher in the motion sensing game group than in the conventional rehabilitation group (t>3.195, P<0.01). The integral EMG (iEMG) value, average EMG (aEMG) value and maximum EMG (EMGmax) value of the deltoid muscle improved in the motion sensing game group after treatment (t>4.420, P<0.05), however, only aEMG and iEMG improved in the conventional rehabilitation group (t>2.282, P<0.05). All of them after treatment and the D-value were higher in the motion sensing game group than in the conventional rehabilitation group (t>2.155, P<0.05).Conclusion Electromyographic biofeedback motion sensing game therapy plays a role in the rehabilitation of upper limb function and muscle strength in children with OBPP.

Key words: obstetric brachial plexus palsy, electromyographic biofeedback, motion sensing game, surface electromyography