THE EFFECTS OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL TREATMENT VERSUS PRACTICE ON THE REACHING OF CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC CEREBRAL-PALSY

Background and Purpose. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are frequent ly referred for physical therapy, yet the effectiveness of treatment h as not been well-documented. In the relatively few available studies, outcomes are divided between support and lack of support for treatment . The purpose of this research was to document and evaluate the effect s of a physical therapy program on the reaching movements of children with spastic CP. Subjects. Eight children with CP, 10 to 15 years of a ge, were treated daily for 5 days with a version of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) and for 5 days with practice of reaching tasks. Metho ds. Changes in movement time, path, and smoothness of reach were quant ified and described using kinematic analysis. Results. There were no d ifferences in any of the variables following 5 days of NDT. There was a difference in movement time, but in no other variables, following 5 days of practice. When time in treatment, rather than type of treatmen t, was the independent variable, the data showed changes. Both movemen t time and movement units were reduced following 5 days of treatment. Movement time, movement units, and displacement, but not reaction time , were reduced following the completion of both types of treatment. Co nclusion and Discussion. The two treatments in combination may be nece ssary to achieve these results. Alternatively, either treatment type a lone, when given for at least 2 weeks, may produce similar results.