Effects of A Neurophysiotherapy Program On Gross Motor Function In A Child With A Dyskinetic Form of Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: The dyskinetic form of cerebral palsy (CP) is the second most common form, divided into choreo-athetoid and dystonic form. It is characterized by pronounced involuntary movements, changing muscle tone, poor balance. No randomized clinical studies or pilot studies have been published in the databases as case studies examining the efficacy of neurophysiotherapy on gross motor function in children with dyskinetic CP at an early stage. Methods: We conducted a case study using the mixed methods research design, specifically a sequential research plan, and investigated the effectiveness of neurophysiotherapy on improving gross motor function in a 21-month-old boy with dyskinetic CP. Results: Based on the analysis of the results of the existing case study using the mixed methods paradigm on the subject, we find that the neurophysiotherapy program (NDT in combination with condensed neurophysiotherapy treatments in the development clinic in Stara Gora and URI Soča) is effective in improving gross motor function over a period of 11 months. Conclusions: Based on the mixed methods, we consequently gained a deeper insight into the subjective experience of the effectiveness of the mentioned neurophysiotherapy program of a physiotherapist and mother of a boy with dyskinetic CP on improvement in activities and participation.