The Effects of Intensive Therapy on Trunk and Lower Limbs in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Research on the effects of physiotherapeutic interventions in children with CP has grown expansively, and shows a wide diversity of techniques and concepts that are used in variable intensity. Until now there is no consensus on the optimal intensity of these interventions to have a positive impact on the activity and participation level of these children. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis already showed evidence for the effect of intensive training of hand function in children with CP, including short bursts of highly intensive therapy. In contrast, studies on the effect of intensive therapy of gross motor function were limited, and training was performed at a lower intensity during a longer period, resulting in effects that are more inconclusive. Moreover, none of the reviewed studies included improvement of trunk control as one of their treatment goals, although it is known that most children with CP experience some problems with trunk control, to a variable extent.

This research project has two aims, i.e. 1) investigating the effect of intensive therapy camps on qualitative and quantitative parameters of lower limbs and trunk; and 2) comparing the effect of two therapeutic approaches, namely a functional approach versus a more qualitative-functional approach on these parameters.

Inclusion criteria

• spastic type of CP
• bilateral motor involvement (both diplegia and quadriplegia)
• GMFCS-level II and III
• 6 to 12 years old
• cognition: able to understand and execute instructions in a proper way and sufficient concentration (both during the measurements as during the camp).

Exclusion criteria

• mixed form of CP (with ataxia or dystonia)
• Botulinum Toxin-A injections within six months prior to the camp
• multilevel orthopedic surgery within one year prior to the camp
• selective dorsal rhizotomy within two years prior to the camp
• spinal fusion