Repetitive Passive Movement and CP

Research will be published in the Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine on the use of repetitive passive knee movements for the management of spastic hypertonia in children with cerebral palsy.  This study applied continuous passive motion (CPM) to the knees of 16 children with cerebral palsy.  Continuous passive motion was used for 20 minutes at velocities of 15 and 0 degrees. To assess the effects of the CPM, the following variable were measured: range-of-motion, muscle tone, and ambulatory function. They were each measured before, immediately after, and 30 min after intervention. The research indicated that the 15 degree intervention resulted in significant differences active range-of-motion of the knee (increased), relaxation index (increased), Modified Ashworth Scale (decreased), Timed Up-and-Go (decreased), and 6-Minute Walk test (increased). There was no significant changes seen with the 0 degree intervention. No differences were found in either group in passive range of motion.

Reference: Cheng HY, Ju YY, Chen CL, Wong MK. Managing spastic hypertonia in children with cerebral palsy via repetitive passive knee movements. J Rehabil Med. 2012 Mar;44(3):235-40