EFFECTIVENESS OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY ON MOTOR FUNCTION IMPROVEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Background: Spastic cerebral palsy is the most prevalent form of cerebral palsy in children, often leading to significant motor dysfunction and reduced functional independence. Neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT), based on the Bobath concept, is widely used in pediatric rehabilitation, yet evidence regarding its effectiveness remains varied.

Objective: To assess the impact of neurodevelopmental therapy on motor function and functional mobility in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted over four months in South Punjab, including 60 children with spastic cerebral palsy (GMFCS Levels II–IV), aged 4–10 years. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: the intervention group received individualized NDT sessions five times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group received standard physical therapy. Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) mobility domain were used as outcome measures. Pre- and post-intervention scores were compared using paired and independent t-tests. A significance level of p < 0.05 was set.

Results: The intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in GMFM-88 scores, with a mean change of 10.3 points (p = 0.0001), compared to 2.6 points (p = 0.08) in the control group. Similarly, PEDI mobility scores improved by 11.7 points (p = 0.0003) in the intervention group versus 2.1 points (p = 0.12) in the control group. Between-group comparisons confirmed the superiority of NDT in improving motor outcomes.

Conclusion: Neurodevelopmental therapy significantly enhances motor function and mobility in children with spastic cerebral palsy and should be considered a key component in pediatric rehabilitation strategies.