EFFECTS OF STRETCHING EXERCISES WITH OR WITHOUT BACLOFEN ON SPASTICITY, FLUID INTAKE AND CALORIES INTAKE IN CEREBRAL PALSY CHILDREN

Abstract

Objectives: to find out the effectiveness of stretching exercises and baclofen alone and combined in spastic cerebral palsy children on spasticity, fluid and calorie intake. Material & Methods: A single-blinded, randomized control trial was conducted at Allama Iqbal Hospital, and Idrees Teaching Hospital. The participants between 5-15 years, having spasticity score of 2 or more on Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The participants were randomly divided into three treatment groups i.e. group A received baclofen, group B received stretching and group C received both baclofen and sustained stretching. Data were collected by Performa / Questionnaire, which calculated basic demographics, BMI, fluid and calorie intake, and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Results: The result showed significant difference (p<0.05) among group with large effect size while comparing mean differences of Fluid intake {F(df)=2,57(988.603), η2 =0.972, p<0.001} and Calories intake {F(df)= 2,57(166.877), η2 =0.854, p<0.001}. While there was no significant difference in mean difference of spasticity {F(df)= 2,57(2.119), p=0.130}. Conclusion: baclofen along with stretching exercises significantly improved fluid, calorie intake and spasticity.