Positive Effects of Long Term Physical Therapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

Developmental Neurorehabilitation published a retrospective study on 56 children (mean age of 4.2 years old) with cerebral palsy (GMFCS Levels I-V) who received physical therapy.  The children's motor function was assessed every 3 months from 2008-2011.  The results indicated the following:

• significant improvement in Gross Motor Function Measure - 66
• the improvement varied among the GMFCS levels with Level II showing faster progression
• younger PT children had better PT efficacy
• the GMFM-66 scores continued to improve until 8.4 years old in the older group of children

The researchers concluded that long-term conventional PT is effective even in older CP children, and PT was most efficient in younger children and GMFCS level II. 

Reference: Chen, Yi-Nien et al. The effect of long-term conventional physical therapy and independent predictive factors analysis in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Neurorehabilitation, Volume 16, Number 5, October 2013 , pp. 357-362(6)