الفهرس 
Cover EnglishOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Light emitting diode (LED) is a recent form of light therapy that is a new production of laser industry. LED produces a different form of irradiation that differs from the coherent laser irradiation in being non-coherent, non-collimated and polychromatic. LED devices can produce light of multiple wavelengths with a broad spot size. LED is a semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through it. The output from a LED can range from blue-violet (at a wavelength of approximately 400 nanometers) to red (at about 700 nanometers). Some LEDs emit infrared (IR) energy (830 nanometers or longer). Although LED differs from laser in its physical characteristics, it has the same photobiological effects when they are at the same wavelength. This may be explained by the results of several studies that proved that the therapeutic effect of light is due to the light itself at a specific wavelength and not due to the device that emits the light or the way by which light is delivered. So, LED irradiation can produce the same physiological and biological effects as LPLI, resulting in the same healing effects at a weaker energy power, thus avoiding its damaging effect on the tissues or accidental eye risk. In this research work, the effect of LED on stimulating axonal nerve regeneration in infants with Erb’s palsy was studied in order to evaluate LED therapy as potentiating tool in the healing process, and to introduce a new line of treatment, helping the recovery of these patients Erb’s palsy is the most common type of neonatal obstetrical brachial plexus palsies, representing 80%- 90% of these cases. Although the incidence of OBPP had declined, due to the improvement in obstetric care, the treatment of these cases continued to be problematic due to the slow and incomplete recovery of these cases, which may result in serious disability of the child. Early evaluation of theses cases is very important for proper management, through clinical assessment and EMG measurements, which are of great importance in detecting the level and type of brachial plexus nerve injury. EMG is also valuable in detecting early signs of recovery, thus giving an accurate impression about the prognosis and the efficacy of treatment. During this research work, infants with Erb’s palsy received LED therapy in the form of three sessions per week for three successive months in conjunction with the conventional physiotherapy program. These were compared to another control group of Erb’s palsy infants of similar range of age (from 1 to 6 months of age). EMG measurements of the amplitude of the motor unit action potential of muscles of the affected arm (deltoid and biceps muscles) and clinical assessment of the motor function of this arm were both recorded before and after the suggested treatment period. Recorded results of this study revealed marked improvement in the motor function in cases that received LED therapy in addition to physical therapy program as compared by results of the control group who received traditional physiotherapy program only. Also, better results were obtained in patients who started treatment at younger age. So, LED therapy can be considered as a new effective modality of treatment for the cases of Erb’s palsy, which may be promising for better results that should be respected, specially when concerning its ease of use, safety and low cost.