NDT on Fall Risk in Cerebral Palsied Children

Effect of Neurodevelopmental Treatment on Fall Risk and Balance in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Children with spastic cerebral palsy experience falls due to weakness in balance skills and abnormalities in gait parameters. It is necessary to improve the quality of life of these children by reducing the frequency of falling. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Neurodevelopmental Treatment on the risk of falling and balance and to contribute to the literature on this subject. Cases were randomized into study and control groups. At the beginning of the study, the balance skills of all the cases with spastic cerebral palsy were measured with the Pediatric Balance Scale, and the gait parameters and fall risks were measured with the LEGSys Temporospatial Gait Analysis Device. Then, an 8-week, case-specific, neurodevelopmental therapy program with intensive gait and balance training was applied to the study group in a 45-minute single session, 2 days a week. The control group received 8 weeks of conventional physiotherapy. At the end of the treatment process, the evaluations were repeated with the same methods.

Treated with both the treatment programs determined on the basis of the NDT and conventional physiotherapy. Programs prepared specifically for each child, in a 45-minute single session, 2 days a week, for 8 weeks in total. Each child was given a treatment program tailored to their needs.

In the treatment program; vestibular and proprioceptive training on the balance board; dynamic balance training in sitting with eyes open and closed, kneeling upright and standing; balance exercises in front of the mirror; standing on one leg with eyes open and closed to increase proprioceptive input; vestibular and proprioceptive training on exercise balls of the appropriate size; balance training on the trampoline; footpad sensory stimulation with different materials; weight-bearing training in sitting, crawling, kneeling and standing positions; functional reaching and throwing-holding exercises in different positions; multitasking pieces of training; gait exercises in various ways and training for climbing and descending stairs appropriate to the child's situation (assisted, unaided, symmetrical, reciprocal) took place.

Functional balance was assessed using PBS, which consists of fourteen tasks similar to activities of daily living. Higher scores indicate better balance.

Functional balance was assessed using PBS, which consists of fourteen tasks similar to activities of daily living. Higher scores indicate better balance.

Inclusion Criteria: Cerebral Palsy diagnosis Spastic type Gross Motor Function Classification System Level I and II Exclusion Criteria: Tendon release surgery or Botox application in the last 6 months