Evidence-based physical therapy for the management of children with cerebral palsy

This paper reviews the evidence in the literature for the use of hypebaric oxygen (HBO) in the treatment of cerebral palsy (CP). To date there are only two published studies on the outcome of HBO administration in CP. A pilot study showed significant improvement in gross motor function but provided a low level of evidence. A recent multicentre, double blind, placebo controlled trial reported similar improvements in both HBO and placebo groups, but no difference between the groups. This study had a high level of evidence. The results suggest that participation in the trial produced clinically important gains in function. The outcome of the study implies that HBO may have a placebo effect in CP.

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Salivary alpha amylase and cortisol levels as stress biomarkers in children with cerebral palsy and their association with a physical therapy program

Research in Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103807 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 ◽

pp. 103807

Author(s):

Luz Elena Durán-Carabali ◽

Mabel Lucía Henao-Pacheco ◽

Angélica María González-Clavijo ◽

Zulma Dueñas

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Alpha Amylase ◽

Salivary Alpha Amylase ◽

Stress Biomarkers ◽

Therapy Program ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽

Physical Therapy Program ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

As Stress

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The effect of intense physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy

Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine ◽

10.3233/prm-2012-0208 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 159-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jennifer Braswell Christy ◽

Corinne G. Chapman ◽

Patrice Murphy

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy

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How pain management for children with cerebral palsy in South African schools complies with up-to-date knowledge

African Journal of Disability ◽

10.4102/ajod.v8i0.575 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Ensa Johnson ◽

Stefan Nilsson ◽

Margareta Adolfsson

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Pain Management ◽

South African ◽

Scientific Knowledge ◽

Waiting Times ◽

System Level ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Special Educational Needs ◽

Published Evidence ◽

Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background: Pain in children with cerebral palsy (CP) has its sources in musculoskeletal problems that can influence learning in a school setting. Best pain management is essential for these children, but school staff may not keep up to date with the latest developments and interventions. Therefore, staff’s perceptions of beneficial strategies may not comply with contemporary scientific knowledge about effective evidence-based interventions.Objectives: This study investigated how pain management intervention for children with CP in South African schools complied with international scientific knowledge about evidence-based interventions. The intention was to provide support for an update of knowledge on both individual level (i.e. professionals) and system level (i.e. decision makers).Method: Five focus groups were conducted with staff members at five schools for children with special educational needs in South Africa. Manifest and latent content analyses of professional statements identified interventions reported as beneficial and related them to higher and lower levels of intervention evidence as reported at the time of data collection.Results: Most treatment strategies concerned motor functioning that fell within the framework of physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Access to orthopaedic expertise was limited, waiting times were long and medication for spasticity treatment was not offered.Conclusion: A discrepancy between published evidence and clinical practice for pain management in children with CP in South African school settings was noted. Suggestions for improved early intervention to identify children’s hips at risk through surveillance programmes; and orthopaedic management are proposed to prevent deformities and unnecessary suffering in South African children with CP.

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