Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Effect of physical therapy frequency on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy
1Department of Secondary Special Education, College of Education, Jeonju University, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Intensive physical therapy significantly improved gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. Key gains were observed in crawling, kneeling, and standing abilities with increased therapy frequency.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture, significantly impacting gross motor function.
- Neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) is a common approach used in physical therapy for children with CP.
- The optimal frequency of NDT-based physical therapy for maximizing functional gains in children with CP remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of varying physical therapy frequencies, guided by neurodevelopmental therapy principles, on the gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy.
- To determine the correlation between physical therapy frequency and performance on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) in this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 161 children with cerebral palsy in South Korea.
- Data collection over one year using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM).
- Analysis of GMFM scores in relation to different frequencies of NDT-based physical therapy.
Main Results:
- A significant positive correlation was found between physical therapy frequency and GMFM scores across all domains, including crawling and kneeling, standing, walking, running and jumping, rolling, and the total score.
- Significant improvements in gross motor function were observed for crawling and kneeling, standing, and overall GMFM scores with increased therapy frequency.
- Children classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level V showed significant improvements in standing ability with higher physical therapy frequency.
Conclusions:
- Intensive physical therapy, characterized by higher frequency, demonstrates superior effectiveness in enhancing gross motor function for children with cerebral palsy.
- Specific improvements in crawling, kneeling, and standing abilities are particularly pronounced with more frequent NDT-based physical therapy interventions.
Abstract:
[Purpose] This study attempted to investigate the effect of physical therapy frequency based on neurodevelopmental therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] The study sample included 161 children with cerebral palsy who attended a convalescent or rehabilitation center for disabled individuals or a special school for children with physical disabilities in South Korea. Gross Motor Function Measure data were collected according to physical therapy frequency based on neurodevelopmental therapy for a period of 1 year. [Results] The correlation between physical therapy frequency and Gross Motor Function Measure scores for crawling and kneeling, standing, walking, running and jumping, and rolling, and the Gross Motor Function Measure total score was significant. The differences in gross motor function according to physical therapy frequency were significant for crawling, kneeling, standing, and Gross Motor Function Measure total score. The differences in gross motor function according to frequency of physical therapy were significant for standing in Gross Motor Function Classification System Level V. [Conclusion] Intensive physical therapy was more effective for improving gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. In particular, crawling and kneeling, and standing ability showed greater increases with intensive physical therapy.
