Effect of action observation therapy on spasticity, gross motor function, balance and participation in children with cerebral palsy: Randomized controlled study

ABSTRACT The Effect of Actıon Observatıon Therapy on Spastıcıty, Gross Motor Functıon, Balance and Partıcıpatıon in Chıldren wıth Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Study A total of 36 children aged 5-13 years were included, collected to investigate the contribution of action observation therapy (EGT) to examining spasticity, gross motor function, balance and participation in children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (CP). The children were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (n=12), in which only conventional physiotherapy was applied, the group in which EGT was applied under parental control in addition to conventional physiotherapy (n=12), and the group in which targeted physiotherapy was applied in addition to EGT (n=12), accompanied by a therapist. divided into groups. Muscle tone of the children included in the study before treatment, after six weeks of treatment and after three months of follow-up was measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS); gross motor function levels Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM); their balance: Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Pediatric Reach Test (PRT); functional mobility, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); activities and participation Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) and Child and Adolescent Participation Survey (CASP); was evaluated with. When post-treatment difference data were examined, except for MAS (p>.05), GMFM (p<.001), PBS (p<.001), PRT forward reach (p=.015), SCIT (p<.001) in the fEGT group. Significant improvements were seen in , CASP (p=.001) and VAS (p<.001) parameters. In the eEGT group, there was no difference in other parameters except CASP (p = .015). In the control group, significant changes were noted in other parameters except PRT (p>.05) and MAS (p>.05). however, there was no difference between the groups (p>.05). In conclusion; The continued positive developments in favor of fEGT in the post-treatment and 3-month follow-up measurements of all sub-parameters except muscle tone showed that EGT application in the lower extremity rehabilitation of children with CP is effective in the long term. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Action observation therapy, Lower extremity