Oro-motor skills and gross motor abilities in children with diplegic cerebral palsy following electrical stimulation

Abstract

Feeding difficulties are common in children with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Swallowing difficulties, extended feeding times, poor postural control, frequent chocking/coughing, trouble drinking, and frequent vomiting are the most common feeding challenges. The dysfunctional daily eating activities among these population result in reduced quality of life, limited functional performance, and they become dependent in most of oral health care and mealtimes.The specific nature and severity of the feeding problems may differ to some degree, in relation to sensorimotor impairment, gross and fine motor limitations. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation on oro-motor skills and gross motor abilities in children with diplegic cerebral palsy and to find out if there was a relationship between them. Eighteen children with diplegic cerebral palsy aged from 3 to 5 years from both sexes participated in this study. They received a designed physical therapy, oromotor exercises for 60 minutes followed by electrical stimulation for 40 minutes. The treatment was conducted two sessions per week for three successive months. Data obtained from both groups pre treatment and post treatment regarding Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), Oral Motor Assessment Scale (OMAS).