Author/Authors :
RASSAFIANI, Mehdi Occupational Therapy Department - Faculty of Allied Health Sciences - Kuwait Universit, Kuwait , AKBARFAIMI, Nazila Department of Occupational Therapy - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , HOSSEINI, Ali Department of Occupational Therapy - Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , SHAHSHAHANI, Soheila Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , KARIMLOU, Masoud Social Determinants of Health Research Center University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran , TABATABAI GHOMSHEH, Farhad Department of Ergonomics - University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Obgective
The current study aimed to examine the effect of the combined
administration of active vestibular interventions and occupational
therapy on balance and the relationship between balance changes
and Activity of Daily Living in school-aged children with cerebral
palsy (CP).
Materials & Methods
Twenty-four children with Spastic CP, at the level I and II
(according to the “Gross Motor Function Classification System)
aged 7-12 years were enrolled and randomly assigned into control
and intervention groups. Pediatric Balance Scales and Bruininks-
Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency II were employed to assess the
functional balance changes as well as Force Plate (eyes closed and
open) to assess changes in the parameters of balance (e.g. center
of pressure excursion). The activity of Daily Living was assessed
by “Activity Scales for Kids (performance version)”. Participants
in the intervention group received active vestibular intervention for
20 min and a regular occupational therapy program for 25 min. The
control group received a regular occupational therapy program for
45 min. Interventions were provided 3 day in week for 6 weeks in
each group. The participants were assessed in three stages: baseline,
immediately after, and eight weeks after the intervention. Data were
analyzed by ANOVA and linear regression.
Results
The results demonstrated that only functional balance, according
to Pediatric Balance Scales scores, was significantly increased in
the active vestibular interventions group (p=0.02). There was no
significant association between functional balance and Activity of
Daily Living (P>0.05).
Conclusion
The combined administration of active vestibular interventions
and occupational therapy could improve the functional balance in
children with spastic CP. It may be related to the reorganization of
the vestibular system with a controlled and precise application of
stimuli.
Keywords :
Cerebral Palsy , Vestibular Intervention , Balance , Activity of Daily Living , Occupational Therapy
