Zeitschrift für neuartige Physiotherapien

Abstrakt

Comparison between Task - Oriented Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises on Lower Extremity Function in Cerebral Palsy-A Randomized Clinical Trial

Chandan Kumar and Priyanka Ostwal

Background and objective: The large majorities of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have difficulty in walking; demonstrate poor balance control, that leads to poor gait and reaching movement as the maintenance of stability is critical to all movements. There are various approaches and strategies to improve gait, balance and lower extremity function, Task-Oriented Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation exercises are one of them. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of Task-Oriented Training and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation exercises on lower extremity function in children with cerebral palsy.

Material and method: Thirty patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A -Task- Oriented Training, Group B- Proprioceptive- Neuromuscular Facilitation. Exercises with 15 patients in each group. All the patients were evaluated with Pediatric Balance Scale, and Gait parameters- Gait Velocity, Stride length and Cadence at pre and post treatment level.

Results: When comparison of pre and post intervention values of Pediatric Balance Scale and Gait parameters was done, significant difference was found (P<0.001) in both groups. When comparison was done at post intervention level for Pediatric Balance Scale and Gait parameters, significant result was found (P<0.001) for Stride Length and cadence and non-significant results for Pediatric Balance Scale and Gait velocity.

Conclusion: From finding of this study it was concluded that both Task-Oriented Approach and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Exercises are beneficial in improving lower extremity function in children with cerebral palsy.