title: Continuous vs. blocks of physiotherapy for motor development in children with cerebral palsy and similar syndromes: A prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether physiotherapy is more effective when applied in blocks or continuously in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective randomized cross-over design study compared the effect of regular physiotherapy (baseline) with blocks of physiotherapy alternating with no physiotherapy over one year. Thirty-nine institutionalized children with CP and clinically similar syndromes (6-16 years old, Gross Motor Function Classification Scale II-IV) were included. During the first scholastic year, group A received regular physiotherapy, group B blocks of physiotherapy and vice versa in the second year. The Gross Motor Function Measure 66 (GMFM-66) was the outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen children in each group completed the study. GMFM-66 improved (p < 0.05) over the study period in both groups in total; changes (p < 0.05) were seen only in dimension D (group B) and E (both groups) during regular therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physiotherapy may be more effective when provided regularly rather than in blocks.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapie Erik Goossens, Oberwilerstrasse , Binningen , Switzerland .
authors.forename: Anne-Louise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rutz
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Juenemann
authors.forename: Reinald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cerebral palsy; en bloc; motor development; physiotherapy; randomized clinical trial; regular