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.

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