International Journal of Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy

TASK ORIENTED MOTOR SKILL TRAINING PROGRAM WITH SEGMENTAL TRUNK STABILISATION ON ACQUISITION OF MOTOR STABILITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Fuzail Ahmad*1 and Nasreen Akthar2

fuzail_ad@yahoo.co.in

Cerebral palsy, Musculoskeletal, Skill training programme.

There is a lack of evidence about the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions to improve UL function in children with CP. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of task oriented motor skill training with segmental spinal stabilization on acquisition of motor skills in young children with cerebral palsy. A matched pairs randomised trial was carried out using a goal directed functional training program to evaluate the efficacy of the training with trunk stabilization at different level in children with cerebral palsy aged 5 to 12 years. Primary outcome measures were Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM 66) and Qualities of Upper Extremity Skills Test. A Mixed Linear Model with unstructured means of GMFM-66 was calculated, where time, GMFCS and age-group were used as factors in the final model. Four, of in total 154 assessments, were missing, they were intermittent and there was no suspicion of drop-outs. Significant improvements were demonstrated in GMFM-66 during the intervention (assessment 1–2 mean difference: 2.92, p<.001; assessment 2–3 mean difference: 2.19, p<0.001; assessment 3–4 mean difference: 5.07, CI: 3.8–6.4, p<0.001). There are several factors that could have influenced the results, making comparisons with other studies difficult. The average change in the outcome measures is likely to be dependent on the composition of GMFCS levels and ages in the sample. As seen in our study and also found by others. Children classified to level I-II showed the greatest change, as was expected in line with motor development curves for CP.Task Oriented Motor Skill Training Program for children with Cerebral palsy resulted in improved basic motor abilities, improved self-care in home environments, and reduced need for caregiver’s assistance in self-care and mobility.