Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Cerebral palsy treatment requires a Multidisciplianary (MDT) Approach in order to promote the independence of the child with an impairment, both functionally and psychologically and increase the quality of life of both the child and their family. Physiotherapists, viewed as the ‘movement expert’, play a key role within this MDT. The main aim of Physiotherapy, as identified by Gunel (2011), is to support the child with Cerebral Palsy to achieve their potential for physical independence and fitness levels within their community, by minimising the effect of their physical impairments, and to improve the quality of life of the child and their family who have a major role to play in the process.
Mobility Physiotherapy Clinic focuses on function, movement, and optimal use of the child’s potential and uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being within all environments of the child including home, school, recreation, and community environments.
Gross motor skills, functional mobility in the management for the motor deficits, positioning, sitting, transition from sitting to standing, walking with or without assistive devices and orthosis, wheelchair use and transfers, are all areas that the physiotherapist works on using a wide range of physio-therapeutic approaches to influence functional ability of the child, which we will review.
Treatment Approaches
According to Patel (2005) a wide range of therapeutic interventions have been used in cerebral palsy treatment. They show that there is evidence to support the use and effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation, while evidence in support of the effectiveness of the neurodevelopmental treatment is equivocal at best. The effectiveness of many other interventions, including include: sensory integration, body-weight support treadmill training, conductive education, constraint-induced therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy used in the treatment of cerebral palsy have not been clearly established based on well-controlled trials. We provides an overview of salient aspects of popular approaches and interventions used in the management of children with Cerebral Palsy.
Antilla (2008) identifies a wide range of choices and availability of various techniques which may vary both between therapists and from country to country. Table 1.7 below lists many of the most common physiotherapy and physiotherapy-related approaches utilised in the management of Cerebral Palsy during the past few decades.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
Cerebral palsy treatment Approach also know as Bobath Approach, was developed in the 1940’s by Berta and Karl Bobath, based on their personal observations working with children with cerebral palsy. The basis of this approach is that motor abnormalities seen in children with Cerebral Palsy are due to atypical development in relation to postural control and reflexes because of the underlying dysfunction of the central nervous system. This approach aims to facilitate typical motor development and function and to prevent development of secondary impairments due to muscle contractures, joint and limb deformities. Although the effectiveness of NDT in Cerebral Palsy has been questioned by some published reports, there are some studies suggesting its effectiveness.
Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT)
Another Cerebral palsy treatment known as Constraint-induced Movement therapy is used predominantly in the individual with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy to improve the use of the affected upper limb. The stronger or non-impaired upper limb is immobilized for a variable duration in order to Force Use of the impaired upper limb over time. Antilla et al (2008) identified one high and one lower-quality trials which measured both body functions and structures, and activity and participation outcomes through use of CIMT. Use of a cast with CIMT showed positive effects in the amount and quality of functional hand use in the impaired limb and new emerging behaviour as compared to the no-therapy group, but no effects were found on QUEST. Use of sling during CIMT also had positive effects on functional hand use on the impaired upper limb, time to complete tasks, and speed and dexterity, but no effects on sensibility, handgrip force, or spasticity. Thus Antilla et al (2005) found there is moderate evidence for the effectiveness of CIMT therapy on functional hand use in the impaired upper limb. According to Patel (2005) the efficacy of this approach has not been established, in particular in relation to the adverse effects of prolonged immobilization of the normally developing upper limb.
Patterning
The concept of patterning is based on theories developed during the 1950’s and 1960’s by Fay, Delacato, and Doman. Patterning is based on the principle that typical development of the infant and child progresses through a well-established, pre-determined sequence; with failure to typically complete one stage of development causing inhibition or impairment in the development of subsequent stages. Based on this principal they suggested that in children with Cerebral Palsy typical motor development can be facilitated by passively repeating and putting the child through the sequential steps of typical development, a process called patterning. Parents and other care givers are taught to carry out this patterning process at home but the approach is hugely labour intensive and time consuming as it requires multiple sessions every day. Although Patterning has been utilised for many years its use is now certainly controversial and the effectiveness has not been established. It is a very passive therapy, with little opportunity to encourage the child in their active involvement and its use in children with Cerebral Palsy is not recommended.
Therapeutic Interventions
Passive Stretching
It is a manual application for spastic muscles to relieve soft tissue tightness. Manual stretching may increase range of movements, reduce spasticity, or improve walking efficiency in children with spasticity. Stretch may be applied in a number of ways during neurological rehabilitation to achieve different effects. The types of stretching used include;
- Fast / Quick
- Prolonged
- Maintained
When we look at the use of a stretch for facilitation, we employ a fast/quick stretch. The fast/quick stretch produces a relatively short-lived contraction of the agonist’s muscle and short-lived inhibition of the antagonist muscle which facilitates a muscle contraction. It achieves its effect via stimulation of the muscle spindle primary endings which results in reflex facilitation of the muscle via the monosynaptic reflex arc.
The presence of increased tone can ultimately lead to joint contracture and changes in muscle length. When we look at the use of stretch to normalise tone and maintain soft tissue length we employ a slow, prolonged stretch to maintain or prevent loss of range of motion. While the effects are not entirely clear the prolonged stretch produces inhibition of muscle responses which may help in reducing hypertonus, e.g. Bobath’s neuro-developmental technique, inhibitory splinting and casting technique. It appears to have an influence on both the neural components of muscle, via the Golgi Tendon Organs and Muscle Spindles, and the structural components in the long term, via the number and length of sarcomeres.
Muscle Immobilised Shortened Position = Loss of Sarcomeres and Increased Stiffness related to increase in connective tissue
Muscle Immobilised Lengthened Position = Increase Sarcomeres
Studies in Mice show that a stretch of 30 mins daily will prevent the loss of sarcomeres in the connective tissue of an immobilised muscle, although the timescale in humans may not relate directly. The study by Johannes M N Enslin et al. discusses the current literature on possible stretching interventions in children with Cerebral Palsy and highlights additional research that has the potential to improve non-invasive treatment outcomes
Passive stretching may be achieved through a number of methods which include;Manual Stretching
Prolonged manual stretch may be applied manually, using the effect of body weight and gravity or mechanically, using machine or splints. Stretch should provide sufficient force to overcome hypertonicity and passively lengthen the muscle. Unlikely to provide sufficient stretch to cause change in a joint that already has contracture.
Weight Bearing
Weight bearing has been reported to reduce contracture in the lower limb through use of Tilt-tables, and standing frames through a prolonged stretch. Angles are key to ensure the knees remain extend during the prolonged stretch as the force exerted on the knee can be quite high. Some research also challenges the assumption of the benefits of prolonged standing.
Splinting
Splints and casts are external devices “Splints and casts are external devices designed to apply, distribute or remove forces to or from the body in a controlled manner to perform one or both basic functions of control of body motion and alteration or prevention in the shape of body tissue.” Splinting can be used to produce low-force, long duration stretching although there is a dearth of evidence to support this. A wide range of splint have been used to influence swelling ,resting posture, spasticity, active and passive ROM.
Casting is a common technique that is used and most effective in managing spasticity related contracture. Serial casting is a specialized technique to provide increased range of joint motion. The process involves a joint or joints that are tight which are immobilized with a semi-rigid, well-padded cast. Serial casting involves repeated applications of casts, typically every one to two weeks as range of motion is restored.
The duration of the stretch to reduce both spasticity and to prevent contracture are not yet clear from the research and require further research to determine the most appropriate technique and duration to produce the required effect.
Static Weight-bearing Exercises
Stimulation of antigravity muscle strength, prevention of hip dislocation, reduction in spasticity and improvements in bone mineral density, self-confidence and motor function have all been achieved through the use of Static Weight-Bearing exercises such as Tilt-Table and Standing Frame.
Muscle Strengthening Exercises
It aims to increase the power of weak antagonist muscles and of the corresponding spastic agonists and to provide the functional benefits of strengthening in children with CP.
Functional Exercises
Training related to specific functional activities combining aerobic and anaerobic capacity and strength training in ambulatory children, has been shown to significantly improve overall physical fitness, the intensity of activities, and quality of life. Training programs on static bicycles or treadmill have been shown to be beneficial for gait and gross motor development but have not shown to have any impact on spasticity or abnormal movement patterns. A study suggests the application of plyometric exercises to the physical rehabilitation programs of children with unilateral CP could achieve more significant improvement in muscle strength and walking performance.
Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training
Stepping movements from Reflex Stepping Reactions are normally present in newborns and infants, before the infant starts to bear weight, stand and walk. Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training, is achieved through supporting the child in a harness on the treadmill in an upright posture limiting overall weight bearing, on a slow moving treadmill, eliciting the stepping movements. Treadmill training, thus allows the development of stepping movements needed for ambulation. Studies using 3-4 sessions per week lasting for 3-4 months have shown improvement in lower extremity movements and gait patterns in children with cerebral palsy.
Electrical Stimulation
The goal of the electrical stimulation is to increase muscle strength and motor function. Electrical stimulation is provided by Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Unit which is portable, non-invasive and can be used in the home-setting by parents or the patient. Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) involves application of transcutaneous electrical current that results in muscle contraction. NMES has been postulated to increase muscle strength by increasing the cross-sectional area of the muscle and by increased recruitment of type 2 muscle fibers. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) refers to the application of electrical stimulation during a given task or activity when a specific muscle is expected to be contracting. Patel (2005) has shown there is some evidence to support the use and effectiveness of NMES in children with Cerebral Palsy but found that many of the studies are limited by confounding variables including concomitant use of other therapies, wide variation in methods of application, heterogeneity of subjects, difficulty in measuring functional outcomes and lack of control subjects. Mintaze (2009) proposes that neuromuscular and threshold electrical stimulation as a modality in Cerebral Palsy is used for strengthening the quadriceps muscles in ambulatory diplegic children with Cerebral Palsy, who have difficulty with specific resistive strength training