ABSTRACT
Objective: Gross motor function delay as a motor development and anxiety as a socioemotional development are the core problems through the rehabilitation of a child struggle with cerebral palsy (CP). Using a unique approach for motivation and relaxation at the same time through the auditory sense is considered in varied clinical conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 12-week combined physical therapy and music therapy program on gross motor development and anxiety levels of children struggle with spastic CP.
Methods: A total of 15 children struggle with spastic CP (grade 1 & 1+), age ranged (3-8 years) were assessed pre and post intervention. They all received tailored combined physical therapy in addition to passive music therapy program for 1 hour, 3 times\week over a period of 12 weeks. Thereafter, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) was used to detect change across the gross motor development, Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (m -YPAS) was used to detect change regarding anxiety level and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to detect spasticity degree for participant selection.
Result: Post treatment values revealed significant improvement in the measured variables (p < 0.05), as there was improvement in the anxiety level where pre and post intervention result's mean ± standard deviation respectively was (51.40 ± 23.68 and 23.41 ± 0.43, p < 0.05). Additionally, the group showed a significantly greater improvement in GMFM-88 values where pre and post intervention mean ± standard deviation respectively was (39.24 ± 21.25 and 64.22 ± 19.03, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Using music as a therapy in its passive live type can relieve anxiety thus enhancing gross motor development in children struggle with spastic CP.