Crecchi A, Tozzini A, Benedetti R, Maltinti M, Bonfiglio L. Case report: Intensive rehabilitation program delivered before and after single-event multilevel surgery in a girl with
diplegic cerebral palsy.
Front Neurol 2024;
14:1323697. [PMID:
38283677 PMCID:
PMC10811248 DOI:
10.3389/fneur.2023.1323697]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is often associated with musculoskeletal disorders that contribute to worsen walking function. The standard care in these cases is single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) followed by rehabilitation. Our aim was to investigate whether a rehabilitation program starting even before SEML could add a benefit with respect to standard postoperative programs considered by previous research.
Methods
From 2 months before to 13 months after SEMLS (except for the first month after surgery), the participant underwent a motor training focused on ROM exercises with tactile and kinaesthetic feedback. Walking performance, walking capacity, and quality-of-life were assessed before and after SEMLS at different follow-up times.
Results
Walking capacity improved 3 months after SEMLS (i.e., earlier than in current literature) and walking performance improved 12 months after SEMLS (instead of simply returning to baseline as previously reported), with a positive impact on quality-of-life.
Conclusions
This case suggests that a rehabilitation program starting even before SEMLS could add benefits over walking function and quality-of-life of children with diplegic CP compared to postoperative programs only.
Collapse