Is Reflexology Applied to Children With Cerebral Palsy an Effective Method?

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cerebral Palsy; Reflexology
• Interventions: Other: physical therapy and reflexology

• Registration Number: NCT04351464
• Lead Sponsor: Kırıkkale University

Brief Summary

Objectives: This study was planned to investigate the influence of reflexology applied to children with cerebral palsy together with physical therapy program involving neurodevelopmental approaches.

Methods: The study involved 40 children aged,16 girls and 24 boys between 3 and 15 years and divided into two groups. While the children in Group 1 were given twice a week for eight weeks neurodevelopmental treatment, reflexology was applied to those in Group 2 together with neurodevelopmental treatment. Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale, Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire and the Children's Health Questionnaire was used to assess the drooling, status of sleep and quality of life in children.

Detailed Description

The study involved a total of 40 children aged between three and 15 diagnosed with CP by a pediatric neurologist. Children at levels 3/4/5 of the GMFCS who did not have any open wounds on the foot, where the application was to be performed, and whose parents consented to the child's participation were accepted in the study. However, those children were excluded who were treated with botulinum toxin in the last six months, underwent surgery, were treated with reflexology or any other alternative medicine method and who had refractory epilepsy.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2015-01-01
• Study Completion: 2015-01-01
• Status Verified: 2020-04
• Study First Submitted: 2020-04-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-04-15
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-04-15
• Study First Posted: 2020-04-17
• Last Update Posted: 2020-04-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Children at levels 3/4/5 of the GMFCS who did not have any open wounds on the foot, where the application was to be performed, and whose parents consented to the child's participation were accepted in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• who were treated with botulinum toxin in the last six months, underwent surgery, were treated with reflexology or any other alternative medicine method and who had refractory epilepsy.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SEQUENTIAL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Physical therapy and Reflexology group	physical therapy and reflexology	Received reflexology implementation for 20-30 minutes on the sole along with the physical treatment involving NDT approaches. Within the scope of the implementation, all the reflex points on the sole were stimulated. The pituitary gland, which is related to sleep and control of salivation, oromotor area and areas of muscular and skeletal system were stimulated with further repetitions.
Just Physical therapy group	physical therapy and reflexology	The group received a 45-minute physical therapy program involving NDT approaches as the control group. Within the scope of this program, the children were treated with intramuscular stretching and soft tissue mobilization, exercises that improved balance and that supported the development of postural control, position shifts, and stretching and reinforcement exercises in the necessary muscle groups.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
physiological parameter	8 weeks	Drooling frequency and severity of drooling
Questionnaire about Sleep status	8 weeks	Assess the problems related to sleep
Questionnaire about Quality of life of children	8 weeks	general health, physical condition, global behavior, mental health, self-esteem and the effect of time on parents

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical parameter	8 weeks	weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Sabiha Bezgin; 🇹🇷 Kırıkkale, Turkey