Effectiveness of intensive training for children with cerebral palsy--a comparison between child and youth rehabilitation and conductive education.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the short-term effectiveness of 1 intensive training period in child and youth rehabilitation with Move&Walk conductive education and describe the effects of 1 intensive training period in terms of changes at 1 year. The amount and influence of additional consumption of training during the 1-year follow-up was also analysed.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental with 2 groups: Lemo (n=23) and Move&Walk (n=29).


METHODS
A total of 52 children with cerebral palsy, age range 3-16 years.


METHODS
Data included repeated measures with Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Functional Skills (PEDI-FS). Data on additional consumption of training was collected at the 1-year follow-up.


RESULTS
There was no difference in proportion of change on the clinical measures between the training programmes, except for a higher proportion of improvement on the GMFM total score in Lemo. At the group level, small improvements were shown on GMFM and PEDI FS in the short-term and on PEDI FS only at 1 year. A higher proportion of children who participated in repeated intensive training periods showed improved social functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
No major differences were shown between the 2 training programmes. One intensive training period facilitated small improvements in gross motor function. The majority of children had a high consumption of training during the 1-year follow-up and the added value of repeated intensive training periods was limited.
Odman
Pia
P
Department of Health and Society, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. pia.odman@ihs.liu.se
Oberg
Birgitta
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome