Cerebral palsy and the role of physiotherapy

ABSTRACT

To find out the clinical pattern of cerebral palsy and role of physiotherapy in its management. Design: A prospective study of 35 cases over a period on one year [July, 95-June, 96] Setting: Physiotherapy department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi. Subjects: Thirty five cases under five years of age attending the physiotherapy department. Main outcome measures: Clinical variants, associated problem, progress in motor function and the determinant of progress. Majority [77.1%] of cases were spastic in nature. Mental Retardation [51.4%] was the most frequent association followed by epilepsy [34.2%]. Significant improvement were noticed in 71% cases although motor function progressed in 25% children. The prognosis of disease were directly related with age of insult to the brain. Delay in starting the therapy resulted in poor chance of recovery. Physiotherapy can contribute substantial improvement to the cerebral palsy cases. Early diagnosis and physiotherapy increase the chance of improvement