PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Topicality. Physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy is a long-term process. At the moment, there are many methods of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, but most of them are developed for children in the early residual stage. Therefore, there is a need to develop an integrated approach to the recovery process of school-age children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, since this age is the last stage at which any rehabilitation measures can be taken. The goal of the work is to substantiate the effectiveness of the influence of a selected complex of physical therapy using the mechanical moving platform Huber 360 and therapeutic exercises on the correction of movement disorders in children 6–12 years old with a spastic form of cerebral palsy. Material and methods. The study involved 16 children aged 6-12 years: 8 in the control group, 8 in the experimental group with spastic forms of cerebral palsy of varying severity. Physical therapy was carried out three times a week: on the biomechanical mobile platform Huber 360 for 30 minutes and therapeutic exercises (exercises to increase range of motion) for 40 minutes. The effectiveness of the formation of motor development was determined by groups of exercises that corresponded to basic motor skills, located in the sequence of growth in their ability to control their body at rest and in movement, to control their body correctly and rationally. Testing was also carried out to determine the motor development of the lower extremities. Research results. It has been established that the use of the developed method of rehabilitation therapy for children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy, using the Huber apparatus and a set of exercises to develop range of motion, has a positive effect on the motor state of children. The highest percentage of effectiveness was identified for the following groups of indicators: the formation of fine motor skills and movements of the upper limbs; formation of verticalization and walking; strength endurance of abdominal muscles; number of squats; step length. Among other things, consistently high dynamics were observed in the following indicators: the formation of control over the position of the head, the development of support reaction and balance of the arms; formation of trunk and seat control; strength endurance of the back muscles; walking speed. Conclusions. The developed physical therapy program using the Huber apparatus and a set of exercises to develop range of motion (flexibility) leads to positive dynamics in all groups of indicators, regardless of the severity of the pathology. The proposed program allowed children to increase muscle strength and range of motion in their joints.