Effectiveness of Bobath therapy on balance in cerebral palsy

Abstract

Purpose: Weakness on balance control is one of the most common problems for children with cerebral palsy. Present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of 8 week-Bobath therapy on balance in children with diparetic or hemiparetic cerebral palsy.

Materials and Methods: A total of 15 cerebral palsy diagnosed children (8 diparesis, 7 hemiparesis) aged 5-14 years, were included in this study. Children could walk independently or by using a walking aid. The demographic data were saved for each case. Gross Motor Function Classification System and Gross Motor Function Measure were used to determine level of motor function. 1 Minute Walking Test, 10-meter Walking Test, Pediatric Balance Scale for balance ability and Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) for assessing of independence in activities of daily living were used. Bobath therapy were applied to children one 60-minute session, 2 days a week and 8 weeks in total. All evaluations were performed before treatment and repeated after treatment program.

Results: After 8-week Bobath therapy, the results showed that improvement in motor function, level of functional independence and balance scores were statistically significant.

Conclusion: Bobath therapy improves functional motor ability, independence level on daily living activities, and also balance ability in children with cerebral palsy.