Effectiveness of the Petö Method on Gross Motor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Quasi-experimental Pilot Study.

Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood. The Petö Method proposes a comprehensive pedagogical-therapeutic approach to improve functionality. Historically, the Petö Method (Conductive Education) has faced skepticism regarding its clinical efficacy. Notable reports, such as the one by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), have previously concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its use. However, these critiques emphasized that prior studies suffered from serious methodological deficiencies and a lack of validated measurement instruments.

Our study directly addresses these gaps by implementing the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Unlike older scales, the GMFM-66 provides a valid and reliable estimate of motor behavior in children with CP, offering the sensitivity required to detect minimal yet clinically relevant changes.

In our results, the Petö Method is shown to be an effective intervention for improving gross motor function in children with significant levels of motor impairment. The observed changes are not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant, exceeding the minimal detectable change and promoting functional autonomy in activities of daily living.

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Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Nervous System Diseases

Age range

4 year–9 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Almería

Almería, 04120, Spain

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 4 and 9 years (inclusive)
Diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, with motor impairment of level III and IV (Gross Motor Function Classification System - GMFCS)
Sufficient cognitive competence to understand and execute simple commands. - - To have completed a three-month therapeutic rest period without any other type of prior therapy (to ensure the 'novelty' effect of the therapy and avoid contamination with other interventions).

Exclusion criteria

The presence of severe sensory deficits and serious behavioral disorders that could interfere with the group dynamics of the intervention.

Treatment and study plan

Education

Other

This methodology is distinguished by its hybrid nature: it is not defined solely as a medical therapy, but as a comprehensive educational system. Conductive Education is implemented by the 'conductor,' a professional with three to four years of transdisciplinary training in physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, and pedagogy, working in close collaboration with other health specialists.

Other names: Conductive education

Primary outcomes

GMFM 66

Time frame: Five months

Four areas were distinguished: manipulation, arm mobility, leg mobility, and postural control. The GMFM-66 scale has been designed and validated in a population of children with CP aged between 5 months and 16 years. Its purpose is to assess different dimensions of gross motor skills in children with CP and to record changes over time in the characteristics or attributes of gross motor behavior.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad de Almeria

Other

Registry information

Acronym: Petö method

Important dates

Study start: 2018
Primary completion: 2019
Study completion: 2022
First posted: Mar 20, 2026
Registry last updated: Mar 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed