Effects of a conductive education course in young children with cerebral palsy:A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a conductive education (CE) course followed by conventional practice, on gross motor function, other functional skills, quality of life, and parents’ experiences of family-centered services in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Twenty-one children with CP, 3–6 years old, were randomized to one 3-week CE course followed by conventional practice or conventional practice on a waiting list. Outcomes were measured 4 months after baseline. A web-based log collected data on the conventional practice. Results: No additional improvements in the children’s outcome were found. However, parents in the CE group reported that they received more information than parents in the waiting list group (p = 0.01). Children in both groups performed high amount of conventional practice at home. Conclusions: A 3-week CE course did not add any improvements in the children’s functioning, possibly explained by the large amount of conventional practice reported of both groups.

KEYWORDS:

• Cerebral palsy
• children
• conductive education
• gross motor function
• quality of life
• randomized controlled trial

Acknowledgments

This study would not have been possible without the participating children and parents, to whom we owe great gratitude and respect. Special thanks go to Christine Rognlien, Gerd Myklebust, and Birthe Hammer, who conducted the clinical measurements of motor function (GMFM-66, GMFCS, and MACS). Thanks to Torbjørn Wisløff, who made the randomization list and acted as the randomization central, and Oluf Jensen, who made the log and was in charge of the database. Without the cooperation and support of Wenche B. Nordli, Marthe Gulbrandsen, and other staff at the two PTØ centers, this study would not have been realized. Finally, we would like to thank Gro Jamtvedt, Rob Herbert, and Kåre Birger Hagen for their methodological support in the planning of this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.