Investigating the Effectiveness of Mobilization on Congenital Muscular Torticollis and Deformational Plagiocephaly

A Randomized Controlled Study in the Efficiency of Soft Tissue Mobilization in Babies With Congenital Muscular Torticollis and Deformational Plagiocephaly

This study investigates the effect of soft tissue mobilization in babies with neck muscle problem. Babies received soft tissue mobilization or home exercises program

Objectives: Investigating the effectiveness of soft tissue mobilization in babies with congenital muscular torticollis and deformational plagiocephaly.

Design: A Randomized controlled trial design Setting: University research department Participants:Babies with congenital muscular torticollis, aged between 0-6 months, who had a head tilt from 5 to 20 degrees and no other health problems were the participants of the study. The study included two groups; home program group was seen once every six weeks, the study group in addition to the home program also received soft tissue mobilization three times in a week. All groups received a baseline home program consisting of positioning, handling strategies plus stretching, stretching and strengthening exercises, environmental adaptations and classical massage. Babies were allocated to two groups by sealed envelope randomization. Babies were evaluated initially, at sixth weeks, at 12 weeks and follow-up at 18 weeks with muscle function scale, head tilt and ear shift assessments which included photographing method, neck normal range of motions (lateral flexion and rotation) and plagiocephaly severity scale

Inclusion Criteria:

• Babies with congenital muscular torticollis and secondary deformational plagiocephaly
• Head tilt from 5 to 20 degrees
• Age between 0-6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have another health problem such as neurological, vertebral anomalies, craniosynostosis