Enhancing motor function in children with cerebral palsy: A Comparative study of pediatric tuina and conventional rehabilitation

Objective

This study explores the impact of combining Pediatric Tuina (PT) with conventional rehabilitation on motor function in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

This controlled trial involved 115 CP-affected children aged 1 month to 13 years. They were allocated into an experimental group (n = 57) receiving PT and conventional rehabilitation, and a control group (n = 58) receiving only conventional rehabilitation for three months. The GMFM-88 scale was employed for evaluating motor function at the start and end of the treatment period.

Results

Compared to the conventional rehabilitation group, the combination of PT and standard rehabilitation therapy showed significant improvement in motor function among children with CP after 3 months. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Children in the PT combined with the standard rehabilitation therapy group exhibited more prominent improvements in motor function (supine and rolling: experimental group 47.88 ± 5.02 vs control group 42.86 ± 10.30; sitting: experimental group 45.16 ± 18.52 vs control group 35.59 ± 18.97; total score: experimental group 147.88 ± 75.59 vs control group 118.90 ± 77.87; P = 0.045). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in scores for children after the combination therapy (pre-treatment 105.39 ± 85.76 vs post-treatment 147.88 ± 75.59; P = 0.045).

Conclusion

PT, when used in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation methods, significantly enhances motor function in children with CP. The study advocates for further extensive research to validate and understand the broader implications of PT in CP treatment.