RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Constipation is one of the major issues faced by children with neuro-developmental disorder (NDD). The aims of the study were to: 1) examine the effectiveness of a structured physiotherapy program on constipation in children with NDD; and 2) compare if conventional physiotherapy along with structured physiotherapy intervention has any combined effect on constipation in children with NDD. METHOD: Thirty-five children with neurodevelopmental disorder were assessed and randomly allotted into two groups. Twenty-two completed the intervention for 2 weeks and were statistically analyzed at baseline and post 4 weeks at a single tertiary center. The outcome measures used were Pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL), Peds QL Gastrointestinal symptoms scale, Bristol stool form scale, and defecation frequency. Group A received the conventional treatment, whereas group B received structured physiotherapy along with the conventional treatment. RESULTS: Group A had no significant outcomes, whereas in group B there were statistically significant differences for all outcome measures. Comparatively, a statistically significant change was noted for PedsQL GI symptoms scale (p = .045) and its constipation sub-scale (p = .002) in group B along with change in the Bristol stool form. CONCLUSION: Combined effect of structured along with conventional physiotherapy was better in terms of form of stool, constipation, and its associated quality of life factors as compared to conventional physiotherapy alone.
