Effect of the frequency of therapy on the performance of activities of daily living in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the frequency effect of physical and occupational therapy on activities of daily living performance in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 162 children with cerebral palsy who attended a convalescent or rehabilitation center for disabled individuals or a special school for physical disabilities in South Korea participated in this study. The Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory was used to collect data on activities of daily living performance according to physical therapy frequency based on neurodevelopmental therapy for 1 year. [Results] The relationships between physical therapy frequency and activities of daily living performance (mobility, social function, and total functional skill) and between occupational therapy frequency and activities of daily living performance (social function and total functional skill) were significant. There was no significant difference in activities of daily living performance according to physical therapy frequency. The difference in the activities of daily living performance according to occupational therapy frequency was significant for social function. [Conclusion] Intensive occupational therapy was more effective in improving activities of daily living performance in children with cerebral palsy. In particular, their social function further improved with intensive physical therapy.

Upper limb training using visual feedback for children with cerebral palsy

“…Therapies were applied twice a week, 16 sessions in total which were determined considering the similar studies in the literature. 20 At the end of the second trimester of prenatal life, most human neurons are composed. Synapse formation is very fast until 6 years of age.…”