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Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction (NFDR) approach: a practice framework for integration / modification of
Meenakshi Batra1, Vijai Prakash Sharma, Vijay Batra
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation and Artificial Limb Centre (RALC), Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj (CSM) Medical University (Erstwhile King George Medical College and University), Nabiullah Road, Near Daliganj Bridge, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. minaxibatra@yahoo.com
Insights
The Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction (NFDR) approach shows greater effectiveness than Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) in modifying primitive reflexes for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study highlights NFDR as a superior intervention for early motor behavior development in CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Cerebral Palsy (CP) significantly impacts early motor behavior, particularly the persistence of primitive reflexes.
- Conventional therapies like Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) aim to manage these motor deficits.
- The efficacy of alternative approaches for primitive reflex integration in CP requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of the Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction (NFDR) approach against conventional Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT).
- To assess the impact of NFDR and NDT on the integration and modification of primitive reflexes in young children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
- To evaluate changes in muscle tone, postural reactions, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores.
Main Methods:
- A Randomized Controlled trial involving 30 children aged 6 months to 2 years with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
- Participants were randomly assigned to either the NFDR group (Group A) or the conventional NDT group (Group B).
- Interventions were administered over 3 months, with baseline and follow-up evaluations including tone, postural reactions, and GMFM.
Main Results:
- The study found a statistically significant difference between the NFDR and NDT groups.
- Children receiving the NFDR approach demonstrated superior outcomes in the integration and modification of primitive reflexes.
- Improvements were observed in tone, postural reactions, and GMFM scores, favoring the NFDR group.
Conclusions:
- The Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction (NFDR) approach is more effective than Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) for managing primitive reflexes in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
- NFDR offers a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing early motor behavior and functional outcomes in pediatric CP.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and broader applications of the NFDR approach.
Abstract:
A Randomized Controlled trial was done on 30 (CP) children of age range 6 mon to 2 y with an objective to see the efficacy of Neurofacilitation of Developmental Reaction (NFDR) approach over Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) for integration / modification of early motor behavior (Primitive Reflexes) in Cerebral Palsy (CP). The baseline evaluation was done for tone, postural reactions and GMFM. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. With group A, NFDR and group B, conventional approach (NDT) was used for 3 mon followed by re-evaluation. Between groups analysis was done and p value was found to be significant. It was concluded that NFDR approach is more effective than NDT for integration / modification of early motor behavior in children with CP.
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