Assessing the Efficacy of Intermittent Intensive Physical Therapy in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting children worldwide, particularly boys, with spastic CP being the most common form. Despite its prevalence, effective rehabilitation strategies for severely disabled children with CP remain limited. Objective: This...
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
INTI International University
2024
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1920/1/ij2024_06.pdf http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/1920/ https://intijournal.intimal.edu.my |
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Summary: | Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting children
worldwide, particularly boys, with spastic CP being the most common form. Despite its
prevalence, effective rehabilitation strategies for severely disabled children with CP remain
limited.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a 6-month
rehabilitation program for severely disabled children with CP, utilizing alternating intense therapy
sessions and rest periods, to enhance gross motor function.
Methods: Employing a multiple-baseline design, the study assessed changes in motor performance
using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Visual and statistical analyses, including
descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, were conducted to evaluate outcomes. Results: Participants
received an average of 60 treatments over the 20-week trial, exceeding expectations. Seven out of
ten children exhibited significant increases in GMFM scores, with a mean improvement of 9.2%
(range 3 to 15%; p < 0.05). Importantly, all participants maintained motor function during rest
periods, with a high compliance rate of 93.1% during intense therapy.
Conclusion: The study highlights the potential of the proposed rehabilitation program to improve
gross motor function in severely disabled children with CP. These findings provide valuable
insights for developing more effective and sustainable rehabilitation strategies for this population. |
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