Home-based rehabilitation for children with spastic cerebral palsy: Implications for motor function and family burden.
Kangxin Huo, Ting Xue, Jingyuan Jiang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of home-based, parent-delivered rehabilitation on motor function and family burden in 40 children with spastic cerebral palsy. The family rehabilitation group showed significant improvements in gross motor function and balance, with lower family burden scores and reduced parental depressive symptoms compared to the conventional rehabilitation group at 6 months.
Key findings
- The family rehabilitation group showed significant improvements in gross motor function (F = 27.47, p = 0.00).
- Family burden scores were significantly lower in the family group at month 6 (p = 0.00; 95% CI: [9.04, 12.07]).
- Parental depressive symptoms were significantly reduced in the family group at month 6 (p = 0.01; 95% CI [-4.76, -0.94]).
- Changes in family burden were identified as the only stable predictor of parental emotions.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that home-based rehabilitation can be as effective as traditional hospital-based approaches, while also reducing the emotional and economic burden on families. This model may enhance overall family well-being and support for children with cerebral palsy.