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Case Reports
. 2024 Jun 3;16(6):e61588.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.61588. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Effect of a Tailored Physiotherapy Rehabilitation on Developmental Delay Primary to Non-communicating Hydrocephalus: A Case Study

Chaitali S Vikhe  1 , H V Sharath  2 , Raghumahanti Raghuveer  3 , Swapnil U Ramteke  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Effect of a Tailored Physiotherapy Rehabilitation on Developmental Delay Primary to Non-communicating Hydrocephalus: A Case Study

Chaitali S Vikhe et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

This case report presents the physiotherapy intervention of a one-year-old male child diagnosed with non-communicating hydrocephalus primary to developmental delay. Hydrocephalus is marked by an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid and often leads to significant developmental delays and neurological impairments in affected infants. The physiotherapy intervention aimed to achieve head and trunk control, improve sensory awareness, and enhance overall body coordination and balance. Various techniques, including neurodevelopmental techniques, sensory stimulation, hippotherapy, and sensory integration therapy, were utilized to target specific developmental milestones and functional abilities. Outcome measures, including the Gross Motor Function Measure, Infant Neurological International Battery, Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, and New Ballard Score, were used to assess the patient's progress pre- and post-intervention. Significant improvements were observed across all outcome measures following four months of physiotherapy rehabilitation. The patient demonstrated substantial gains in gross motor function, neurological examination scores, and overall developmental milestones. These findings underscore the effectiveness of physiotherapy rehabilitation in addressing developmental delays associated with non-communicating hydrocephalus. This case underscores the significance of early physiotherapy intervention, which plays a vital role in enhancing outcomes and improving the quality of life for affected children.

Keywords: developmental delay; hippotherapy; neurodevelopmental techniques; non-communicating hydrocephalus; physiotherapy intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Neurodevelopmental techniques to improve neck control
(A) Facilitation of neck-holding on a Swiss ball; (B) prone on elbows; (C) prone on hands; and (D) neck extension on a Swiss ball prone with scapular retraction
Figure 2
Figure 2. Neurodevelopmental techniques to facilitate trunk control
(A) Unilateral weight shifts in sitting; (B) trunk control on Swiss ball; and (C) quadruped rocking and reaching activities
Figure 3
Figure 3. Sensory stimulation, including vestibular system stimulation and proprioceptive system stimulation, to improve sensory awareness
(A) Bouncing on a Swiss ball; (B) swinging on the horizontal plane in the supine; and (C) joint compression focusing on all extremities
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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