Effectiveness of a Telecare Physical Therapy Program in Improving Functionality in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: A Cases Study
Isabel Rodríguez-Costa,
Vanesa Abuín-Porras,
Paula Terán-García,
Andrea Férez-Sopeña,
Victoria Calvo-Fuente,
Concepción Soto-Vidal,
Soraya Pacheco-da-Costa
Affiliations
Isabel Rodríguez-Costa
Humanization in the Intervention of Physiotherapy for the Integral Attention to the People (HIPATIA), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Vanesa Abuín-Porras
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Paula Terán-García
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Andrea Férez-Sopeña
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Victoria Calvo-Fuente
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Concepción Soto-Vidal
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Soraya Pacheco-da-Costa
Neuromusculoskeletal Physical Therapy in Stages of Life Research Group (FINEMEV), Physical Therapy Degree, Department of Nursing and Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad de Alcalá, Autovia A2, km 33.200, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood and results in motor impairment that is often associated with other disorders. The aim of this study was to assess whether a telecare intervention consisting of Action Observation Therapy with a family-center approach produces improvements in functionality in children and adolescents with CP. Seven girls with CP ages between 6 and 17 participated in this case series study that lasted 12 weeks: 6 weeks of telecare program with a total of six sessions; and a follow-up period of 6 weeks. The outcome variables were Gross Motor Function (Spanish version of the Gross Motor Function Measure), balance (Spanish version of the Pediatric Balance Scale), walking endurance (6-min walk test) and walking speed (10-m walk test). The variables were measured before starting the study, after 6 weeks of intervention and after the 6-week follow-up period. Results showed statistically significant improvements in gross motor function (p = 0.02) after the intervention. After the follow-up period, gross motor function remained statistically significant (p = 0.02), as well as balance (p = 0.04) and walking endurance (p = 0.02). These results show that a telecare program has been beneficial in improving functionality with enhancements in gross motor function, balance and endurance in children and adolescents with CP that will facilitate participation.
