AIM: To compare the development of functional motor skills of a group of children with cerebral palsy receiving functional physical therapy to a reference group that continued their previous physical therapy regime. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 55 children with mild or moderate cerebral palsy aged 2 to 7 years. METHODS: A randomized block design was used to assign the children in one of the two groups. After a pretest the physical therapists for the functional group received a training in the systematic application of functional physical therapy. There were three follow-up assessments: 6, 12 and 18 months after the pretest. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) were used to assess functional motor abilities of the children. RESULTS: Both groups improved on the GMFM and the PEDI-scores. No significant time x group interactions were found on the GMFM. For the PEDI significant time x group interactions were found for the functional skills and the caregiver assistance scales in both the self-care as well as the mobility domains. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: There were no differences between the groups on gross motor function in a standardized environment. However, when functional skills in daily situations as measured by the PEDI were examined, the children in the functional group improved more than the children in the reference group. The differences between the groups as well as clinical relevance are discussed.

There are no links to full text for this record.