ЕФЕКТИ ОД ИНТЕНЗИВНА 24-МЕСЕЧНА КИНЕЗИТЕРАПИЈА ВРЗ МУСКУЛНИОТ ТОНУС КАЈ ДЕЦА СО СПАСТИЧНА ДИПЛЕГИЧНА ФОРМА НА ЦЕРЕБРАЛНА ПАРАЛИЗА: ПРОСПЕКТИВНА ЛОНГИТУДИНАЛНА СТУДИЈА
EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE 24-MONTH KINESITHERAPY ON MUSCLE TONE IN CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC DIPLEGIC FORM OF CEREBRAL PALSY: A PROSPECTIVE LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Summary/Abstract: Spasticity is the leading motor disorder in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and significantly limits functional mobility. Current evidence emphasizes the need for intensive and structured rehabilitation programs to achieve long-term functional effects. Objective assessment of muscle tone, most often through the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), is key to evaluating therapeutic outcomes. Objective of the study is TOo compare the effects of intensive inpatient kinesitherapy and standard home rehabilitation on muscle tone in children with spastic diplopia. A prospective longitudinal intervention study (2023–2025) was conducted with 30 children divided into an experimental (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group followed a 24-month structured and multidisciplinary inpatient kinesitherapy, while the control group performed standard home exercises without a structured protocol. Muscle tone of the hip adductors (m. adductor longus, brevis, magnus) was assessed with MAS. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test and Repeated Measures ANOVA (p<0.05). Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in spasticity (p<0.01). However, the experimental group achieved a significantly greater reduction in MAS values (p<0.001; F=19.58), with a mean after intervention of 1.53±0.13, compared to 2.13±0.35 in the control group. The effect size was large (Cohen’s d=0.8), with a statistical power of 1–β=0.80. Intensive and continuous 24-month inpatient kinesitherapy shows a superior effect in reducing spasticity in children with spastic diplegia compared to standard home rehabilitation. The intensity and structure of the therapy are key factors in achieving clinically significant results

• Details
• Contents