EFFECT OF HYDROTHERAPY ON SPASTICITY AND GROSS MOTOR FUNCTIONS AMONG SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY CHILDREN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To determine the effects of hydrotherapy therapy on spastic cerebral palsy children using Modified ashworths scale and Gross
motor functional classification scale after 32 weeks of training protocol.
STUDY DESIGN
Quasi experimental study
STUDY SETTING
Liaquat National Hospital
PARTICIPANTS
Spastic (diplegic, hemiplegic and quadriplegic) cerebral palsy children
INTERVENTIONS
58 Spastic Cerebral Palsywere assessed on the basis of modified Ashworth scale and gross motor function measure for spasticity and
change in gross motor function respectively. Assessment was done, before and at the end of 10th week. Each therapy session was of
40-45 minutes thrice a week in a pool with the temperature maintained at 32°C-34°C and at the end cool down activities were
performed.
RESULTS
Results indicated marked improvement in Muscle tone and Gross Motor Functioning of the enrolled children with p=0.001.
CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that pool therapy is effective in reducing spasticity and improving gross motor functions among CP.

KEY WORDS
Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity, Hydrotherapy, Gross Motor function measure (GMFM), Modified Ashworth scale, hemiplegic.