Cerebral Palsy Children
Conditions
Brief summary
Experimental study with a control group, developed with the aim of analyzing the impact of a telerehabilitation program based on the Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) model on gross motor function and functional performance in children with cerebral palsy.
Detailed description
The sample consisted of 20 children divided into two equivalent groups: an experimental group (n = 10), which received the TND intervention program in a synchronous telerehabilitation format for six months, and a control group (n = 10), which maintained the usual care and clinical follow-up plan without additional structured intervention. The children included had a clinical diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, aged between 6 months and 6 years, classified between levels I and IV of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The pre-intervention assessment was performed before the start of the program, and the post-intervention assessment took place after six months. The assessments included the GMFM-88, to measure gross motor function, and the CO-OP Performance Measure (COOPM), to assess caregivers' perceptions of performance and satisfaction.
Interventions
OTHERneurodevelopmental treatment based on the Bobath concept
Participants in the intervention group receive a structured telerehabilitation program based on neurodevelopmental principles. The intervention is delivered remotely by a physiotherapist through scheduled sessions and focuses on improving motor control, postural alignment, balance, and functional movement according to each child's abilities. The program is individualized and adapted to the functional level of each participant and is conducted over a predefined intervention period.
OTHERneurodevelopmental treatment according to the Bobath concept
Participants in the control group continue to receive conventional in-person physiotherapy based on neurodevelopment according to the Bobath concept.
Sponsors
Escola Superior Saúde Fernando Pessoa
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Caregiver)
Intervention model description
This is a parallel-group experimental study in which participants are assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group undergoes a structured telerehabilitation program based on neurodevelopmental principles, while the control group continues with usual care. Outcome measures are collected at baseline and post-intervention to assess changes within each group over time.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Months to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Confirmed diagnosis of cerebral palsy; Age between 6 months and 6 years; Ability of the primary caregiver to actively participate in online sessions; Regular access to a device with a camera and internet connection.
Exclusion criteria
Orthopaedic surgery or botulinum toxin application in the six months prior to the intervention; Presence of severe comorbidities (cardiorespiratory, cognitive, or sensory) that would limit participation;
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) | Baseline and at the end of the 6-month intervention period | instrument designed to evaluate changes in gross motor abilities in children with cerebral palsy. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) | Baseline and at the end of the 6-month intervention period | Occupational performance and satisfaction assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), administered to the child's primary caregiver as a proxy respondent. Caregivers identify meaningful daily activities and rate the child's performance and satisfaction on a 10-point scale. Changes from baseline to post-intervention are analyzed. |
Countries
Portugal
Outcome results
None listed