A COMPARISON OF INTENSIVE NEURODEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY PLUS CASTING ANDA REGULAR OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL-PALSY

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the combined effect of in tensive neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) and casting in improving hand function, quality of upper-extremity movement and range of motion in children aged between 18 months and 4 years with cerebral palsy (CP). A randomized crossover design was used to evaluate the difference betw een intensive NDT plus casting and a less intensive regular occupation al therapy (OT) program. Blinded assessments of hand function, quality of upper-extremity movement, and parents' perception of hand-function performance were carried out at baseline, 4 months (end of first inte rvention period), 6 months (after a 2-month 'washout' period), and 10 months (end of second intervention period). Analysis of the outcomes r evealed no significant differences in hand function, quality of upper- extremity movement, or parents' perception of hand-function performanc e between the two treatment groups-intensive NDT plus casting or regul ar OT programs. There does not appear to be any beneficial effect of a n increased amount of therapy for the children in this study.