Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 9, 2026
Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Standing activity intervention and motor function in a young child with cerebral palsy: A case report
1a Physical Therapy Department, School of Health Professions and Studies , University of Michigan-Flint , Flint , MI , USA.
Insights
An 8-week home-based standing program improved motor function in a child with severe cerebral palsy (CP). This intervention showed gains in head control, upper extremity function, and sitting ability for children with CP.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor function in children.
- Evidence supporting standing interventions for severe CP is limited, particularly in resource-limited settings.
- This case report focuses on a child with severe CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System Level IV) in West Africa.
Observation:
- A home-based standing program was implemented for 8 weeks, 5 times per week, using a locally constructed standing frame.
- The child had a history of ischemic-hypoxic encephalopathy and interrupted early physical therapy due to access issues.
- Motor skills were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) at baseline and post-intervention.
Findings:
- The child's GMFM-66 score improved from 28 to 37.4 over the 8-week intervention period.
- Observed improvements included enhanced head control, better upper extremity function, and increased sitting ability.
- These results suggest a positive impact of the standing program on gross motor skills.
Implications:
- Home-based standing programs may be a viable intervention to improve motor skills in children with severe CP, even in resource-limited environments.
- Further research is warranted to establish the efficacy and generalizability of standing interventions for functional motor development in this population.
- This case highlights the potential of accessible, adapted equipment in pediatric rehabilitation.
Purpose:
There is limited evidence to fully justify the use of standing interventions for children with cerebral palsy (CP). This case report describes the impact of an 8-week standing program on motor function in a child with severe CP living in western Africa.
Methods:
The subject was diagnosed with ischemic - hypoxic encephalopathy shortly after birth and with CP at 12 months of age. Gross Motor Function Classification of CP was level IV. Early attempts at physical therapy were interrupted by limited access to medical services. At 18 months, a standing program using a locally constructed standing frame was initiated. The standing intervention was completed at home 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Motor skills were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66).
Results:
Scores on the GMFM-66 increased from 28 at baseline to 37.4 in 8 weeks. Improvements in motor function included improved head control, improved upper extremity function, and increased sitting ability.
Conclusions:
Implementation of a home-based standing program may have contributed to improved motor skills for this child. Further research is needed to determine the effect of standing interventions on functional motor development for children with severe CP.
More Related Videos
08:26Event-related Potentials During Target-response Tasks to Study Cognitive Processes of Upper Limb Use in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Published on: January 11, 2016
08:24Author Spotlight: Exploring the Potential of Massage Therapy in Cerebral Palsy Using Animal Models
Published on: August 11, 2023