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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Aug;37(4):800-811.
doi: 10.1007/s00455-021-10329-w. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

The Effects of Neurodevelopmental Therapy on Feeding and Swallowing Activities in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Gönül Acar  1 , Nasim Ejraei  2 , Dilşad Turkdoğan  3 , Necati Enver  4 , Gülten Öztürk  3 , Gülçin Aktaş  5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Effects of Neurodevelopmental Therapy on Feeding and Swallowing Activities in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Gönül Acar et al. Dysphagia. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the structured Neurodevelopmental Therapy Method-Bobath (NDT-B) approach on the feeding and swallowing activity of patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and feeding difficulties. In addition to feeding and oral motor intervention strategies (OMIS), and nutrition-related caregiver training (NRCT), and the NDT-B, which was structured to increase trunk and postural control, was added to the therapy program. Forty patients with CP, with a mean age of 3.25 ± 0.927 years, were classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System, Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System, and Mini-Manual Ability Classification System. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups as OMIS + NRCT (n = 20) and OMIS + NRCT + NDT-B (n = 20). The program was applied for 6 weeks, 2 days/week, for 45 min. The patients were evaluated using the Trunk Impairment Scale, Schedule for Oral Motor Assessment, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory before and after 6 weeks. The trunk control of the OMIS + NRCT + NDT-B group was superior to the other group (P = 0.026). Although there was an improvement in the groups according to the subcategories of SOMA, the OMIS + NRCT + NDT-B group was superior in the trainer cup and puree subcategories of SOMA (P = 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between trunk control and oral motor functions in children with CP, and the eating function of children in the OMIS + NRCT + NDT-B group further improved. NDT-B-based neck and trunk stabilization exercises should be added to the treatment programs.Trial Registration NCT04403113.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Dysphagia; Neck and trunk stabilization; Neurodevelopmental therapy; Oral motor intervention strategies; Swallowing.

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