Add-on Home-Centered Activity-Based Therapy vs Conventional Physiotherapy in Improving Walking Ability at 6-Months in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Multiple Approaches of Neuro-Physiotherapy Used for Improving Balance, Normalizing Tone, and Gait Training in a Child With Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive developmental delay disorder that mainly affects children. A strategy for enhancing organizational abilities, including practices based on evidence, and improving outcomes is the base of clinical management in physiotherapy. A seven-year-old girl presented with a history of difficulty walking, standing for extended periods, and performing gross and fine motor movements. MRI revealed generalized atrophy of the cerebellum. The child was managed by medications and physiotherapy. Physiotherapy intervention was based on goal-oriented strategies, which include Rood's approach, constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), passive stretching, etc. This goal-oriented program showed an improvement in the treatment outcomes of the child. The child was walking independently with a proper gait pattern and was able to maintain both static and dynamic balance. Initial physical therapy management using integrated methods promotes the achievement of developmental milestones like gross motor skills in ataxic cerebral palsy children.

The Use of the 6MWT for Rehabilitation in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review

Assessing and improving walking abilities is considered one of the most important functional goals of physical therapy in children with cerebral palsy. However, there is still a gap in knowledge regarding the efficacy of treatment targeting the walking capacity of children with CP, as well as their responsiveness to the treatment. The 6 min walk test (6MWT) is a reliable tool to measure this function in children with CP, although less has been known about its potential efficacy to assess changes in the walking abilities associated with interventions. The aim of the present narrative review is to increase the amount of knowledge regarding the use of the 6MWT as a reliable measure to evaluate the effect of interventions on walking capacity in children with CP.

The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Dance and its Effects on Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background: The aim of this review was to examine the physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children and adolescents. We consider the therapeutic benefits of dance and outline the potential of dance as an alternative therapy for certain pathologies and medical disorders. Secondly, we summarize the types of dances used in physical interventions, and comment on the methodologies used. Finally, we consider the use of dance as a different exercise modality that may have benefits for increased physical activity generally, and for increased physical education provision in schools.

Methods: A structured search strategy was conducted using the databases of PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of science, PsycARTICLES, and Social Science database. This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. Studies that were published in the past 20 years were considered for inclusion. All written publications were searched for in English, and all articles included in this review were peer reviewed full papers.

Conclusion: The key findings from this review indicate that dance is a feasible alternative to traditional physical activity. The findings also indicate that dance provides physiological and psychological benefits to healthy and medically compromised populations. Implementation of dance programs in schools and society generally needs serious consideration by policy makers. We hope that the results of this review stimulate debate and provide the necessary evidence to profile dance as a viable alternative medium of physical activity. Comprehensive and integrated changes will be needed including economical and legislative support from politicians and associated governmental agencies. The findings reported here are important and have implications for health policy change, reconfiguration, and implementation.