Relationship between primitive reflex values and gross motor abilities in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Primitive reflexes are basically present in normal growth and these reflexes are background of gross motor development in the children. However, Cerebral palsy in the children had motor activity disruption. This study aims to determine the relationship between primitive reflex value and gross motor ability level in the children with spastic cerebral palsy. The study was used correlative research method with cross sectional design. The study population were children had spastic cerebral palsytipe who undergone therapy. The samples were 30 children who met the inclusion criteria such as children with spastic cerebral palsytipe who undergone therapy at Physiotherapy clinic, aged below than 8 years and willing to be respondents. The primitive reflex assessment used reflex value scale and gross motor skills is assessed based on Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) level. The result found there was significant relationship between primitive reflexes and gross motor skills in 6 times of primitive reflexes such as ATNR (p=0.015), STNR (p=0.028), Moro (p=0.035), Neck righting (p=0.001), parachute (p=0.019) and foot placement reaction (p=0.015). Meanwhile, there was not significant relationship between extensor thrust and gross motor skills, p=0.164.