The effect of an intensive five day course of neurodevelopmental therapy on the occupational performance of children with cerebral palsy living in a poor rural area

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a five-day “block” of intensive NDT on the gross motor function and occupational performance of 34 children with CP from an under resourced rural area of South Africa, functioning at GMFCS Levels I-V. The repeated measures research design used two preintervention (baseline of change) and two post-intervention (immediate and sustained change) assessments. The GMFM–66 and PEDI–Modified Functional Skills Scale (MFSS) were used to assess change in motor skills and occupational performance in self-care, mobility and social function over a 21 week period. The intervention included individual NDT therapy, caregiver training and provision of adapted equipment. Participants showed significant positive improvement in scores postintervention compared with the pre-intervention period, in: GMFM-66 total score (p=0.050); PEDI-MFSS: self-care skills (p=0.001), mobility (p=0.002) and social (p=0.000). The greatest gains were made in the self-care domain. In this sample, positive change was effected by a five-day intensive NDT programme.