Pediatric aquatic therapy on motor function and enjoyment in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy of various motor severities.

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of pediatric aquatic therapy on motor function, enjoyment, activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life for children with spastic cerebral palsy of various motor severities. Children with spastic cerebral palsy were assigned to a pediatric aquatic therapy group (n = 11; mean age = 85.0 ± 33.1 months; male : female = 4 : 7) or a control group (n = 13; mean age = 87.6 ± 34.0 months; male : female = 9 : 4). The statistic results indicate that the pediatric aquatic therapy group had greater average 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure following intervention than the control group (η(2) = 0.308, P = .007), even for children with Gross Motor Function Classification System level IV (5.0 vs 1.3). The pediatric aquatic therapy group had higher Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale scores than the control group at post-treatment (P = .015). These findings demonstrate that pediatric aquatic therapy can be an effective and alternative therapy for children with cerebral palsy even with poor Gross Motor Function Classification System level.

• Authors: Chih-Jou Lai, Wen-Yu Liu, Tsui-Fen Yang, Chia-Ling Chen, Ching-Yi Wu, Rai-Chi Chan
• Journal: Journal of child neurology (J Child Neurol) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pg. 200-8 (Feb 2015) ISSN: 1708-8283 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24907137 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2014.

Topics

• Cerebral Palsy (complications, psychology, rehabilitation)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Disability Evaluation
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrotherapy (methods)
• Male
• Motor Activity
• Movement Disorders (etiology)
• Quality of Life
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Treatment Outcome