Recent advancements in interventions for cerebral palsy – A review

Abstract

Non-progressive conditions that develop in the growing fetus or newborn brain and result in lifelong motor impairments and activity restrictions are collectively referred to as cerebral palsy. In the present review, recent advancements in the treatment of cerebral palsy are discussed. Studies are currently being conducted on high-tech aids such as telemedicine, robotics, virtual reality, telerehabilitation, and exoskeletons. In the current review, we focus on the effectiveness of interventions including neurologic music therapy, aquatic therapy, virtual reality, robotics, electrical stimulation, constraint-induced movement therapy, hippotherapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We also discuss the drugs used for the treatment of spasticity in cerebral palsy, as well as the effects of nutritional intake. Neurologic music therapy alongside physiotherapy leads to positive rehabilitation outcomes, as does treadmill gait training combined with robotics for lower limb improvements. Furthermore, kinesio taping is helpful for positioning the wrist, thumb, and fingers, and for reducing upper limb stiffness. Neurorestorative therapies such as cell therapy, brain–computer interface technology, and transcranial magnetic stimulation may also effectively restore neural networks in a positive direction in cerebral palsy. Finally, rehabilitation along with neurofeedback and biofeedback is considered helpful in patients with this neurological disorder.