Effects of Neurodevelopmental Therapy on Gross Motor Function and Postural Control in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most prevalent childhood-onset causes of permanent disability affecting gross motor functioning and postural control ability. Objective: To determine the effects of neurodevelopmental treatment on the gross motor function postural control among children with spastic CP. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was carried out at Sher e Rabbani Hospital, Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Sheikhupura. 66 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited using the non-probability sampling technique. Participants were divided into two groups, Group A which received beuro developmental techniques along with routine physical therapy while Group B received only routine physical therapy treatment. To collect data, Gross motor function measure scale (GMFM-88) and posture and postural ability scale (PPAS) were employed as outcome measures. Results: Repeated measure ANOVA and an independent t-test were executed for parametric data after assuming normality. Pairwise comparison of both groups demonstrated that gross motor function was significantly improved from baseline to 4th, 8th, and 12th week after applying NDT treatment (p-value≤ 0.05). Pairwise comparison of both groups revealed that postural ability post NDT treatment and significant improvement was observed after 12 weeks in comparison to baseline. While within-group comparison at different follows up for gross motor function measure and postural control also expressed p≤ 0.05 as significant. Conclusions: Children with spastic CP who received Neurodevelopmental Therapy along with conventional physical therapy treatment showed significant improvements in gross motor function and postural control as compared to the control group.