Effects of sensory stimulation training on gross motor abilities in hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy is treated by various techniques but still more advancement is needed to find out the effects of sensory stimulation training on gross motor abilities in patients with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Objectives: To determine the effect of sensory stimulation training on gross motor abilities in hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: A single-blind randomized control trial was conducted at Al Rehman Hospital Phase II, Gulraiz Rawalpindi, spanning over 06 months from Feb 2019 to Jun 2019. The sampling technique was non-probability purposive sampling, Total sample size was 40, calculated through open epi, and randomly allocated into two groups equally by lottery method. Diagnosed hemiplegic cerebral palsy patients between 4 to 14 years of age, of both genders, did not receive special education and were not treated with sensory stimulation therapy, were included while any medical or surgical treatment before or during the study period was excluded. The Control group received Bobath Neurodevelopmental treatment, while the experimental group received sensory stimulation training by using Rody, swivel Cars, Foam Pogo Stick, Wobble Deck, Platform swing, trampoline, and Spooner board training five days a week for 6 weeks. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21, a Normality test was applied and results showed that data was normally distributed as the p-value of Shapiro-Wilk was <0.05. Results: Out of 40 hemiplegic cerebral palsy patients, 20 were in the experimental while 20 were in the control group among them 23(57.5%) were females and 17(42.5%) were males. GMFCS before the training in the experimental group was 3.65 + 0. 67, while in the control group was 3.55 + 0.60 with the P-value of 0.62. After the exercise program, the experimental group was 3.60 + 0.75, and the control group was 3.60 + 0.50 with the P-value of 1.00. Within-group analysis showed before and after training P-value was <0.01 in both experimental and control groups. Conclusion: It is concluded that sensory stimulation training improves gross motor abilities in hemiplegic cerebral palsy.