The Effectiveness of Neurodevelopmental Treatment in Adults with Neurological Conditions: A Single-Subject Study

Abstract

A single-subject random treatment design was used to investigate the effectiveness of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) vsconventional physiotherapy treatment in attaining short-term goals in adults with neuromuscular dysfunction. Ten treatments (five NDTs and five conventional treatments) were randomly ordered and administered to three patients. A fourth patient was given five conventional physiotherapy treatments followed by five NDTs. The target goals were operationalised for all of the subjects prior to the first treatment. Qualitative outcomes were measured using pre- and post-test videotapes, graded by independent assessors. The two standard deviation (2 SD) band method of analysis, appropriate for single-subject studies, was used. The results favoured conventional therapy over NDT, although all patients attained their goals regardless of treatment type. This study provides a method for evaluating the short-term effects of NDT using a single-subject design.