Evaluating Neurodevelopmental Treatment for Cerebral Palsy: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A bstract Background: Neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), also known as the Bobath concept, is widely utilized in cerebral palsy (CP) management. Despite its clinical popularity, definitive evidence supporting its effectiveness is still emerging. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the therapeutic outcomes of NDT on motor performance in children diagnosed with CP. Materials and Methods: Extensive literature searches were conducted across databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Google Scholar, covering the period from January 2015 to January 2025. Studies were selected if they employed randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs that compared NDT with either standard care or alternative rehabilitation approaches. The PEDro scale was applied for quality assessment. Meta-analysis was conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs), and the certainty of the evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Results: Out of 832 screened records, 10 met the inclusion criteria, and data from 8 studies (580 total participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled analysis demonstrated a statistically significant small-to-moderate improvement in motor abilities among children receiving NDT (SMD = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.55; P < 0.0001), with no significant heterogeneity ( I 2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses revealed better outcomes with longer therapy durations (>6 weeks) and among children with more advanced gross motor impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels > III). Conclusion: NDT appears to offer modest but clinically relevant gains in motor performance for children with CP, particularly with prolonged and intensive intervention schedules. However, inconsistencies in methodological design and therapy protocols highlight the need for more standardized research and long-term studies.