THE EFFECTS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY AND CONVENTIONAL THERAPY PROGRAMME ON SPASTICITY, BALANCE AND MOTOR FUNCTION IN SPASTIC DIPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Purpose: This controlled intervention study was designed to investigate the effects of sensory integration therapy (SIT) added to a conventional therapy programme on levels of spasticity, balance, motor function and functional independence in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Method: Both groups received a 45-minute therapy programme 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), balance was assessed using the Pediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure 88 (GMFM-88) and functional independence was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure For Children (WeeFIM). Results: There was a significant change in hamstring MAS in the intervention group (p=0.008). When the groups were compared in terms of the difference in change scores for PBBS, a statistically significant difference was found in favour of the intervention group (p=0.001). When the groups were compared in terms of difference in change scores for WeeFIM, a statistically significant difference was found in favour of the intervention group (p=0.007). Conclusion: SIT added to a conventional therapy programme was found to be more effective than a conventional therapy programme alone in relaxing hamstring muscles, improving balance and increasing functional independence in patients with CP.