The efficacy of the neurodevelopmental therapy treatment approach in 4-7 year old children with cerebral palsy

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Although the neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) treatment approach is used extensively in the management ofchildren with cerebral palsy, there is currently very little documented research to support its efficacy. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate the efficacy of NDT in terms of its effect on motor function in a group of 10 cerebral palsychildren. A multiple simple single-subject design was used in which the children each acted as their own controls. A5 week baseline period, during which no intervention was received by the children, was followed by a 5 weekintervention phase during which the children received twice weekly NDT treatment. The children were assessed atthe beginning and end of each phase using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and an assessment tool,which allowed the establishment of individualised outcome measures, called TELER. The group of childrendemonstrated no statistically significant gains in motor function on either of the outcome measures during thebaseline phase of the study. However during the intervention phase the overall improvements demonstrated by thegroup on both the GMFM and TELER were statistically significant. Nine out of the ten children achieved greaterimprovements in their goal total GMFM scores during the intervention phase than during the baseline phase.Similarly all of the children achieved a greater number of clinically significant improvements on the TELERoutcome measures. NDT was beneficial and useful in promoting motor function in this group of cerebral palsychildren.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University