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Auditory stimulation improves motor function and caretaker burden in children with cerebral palsy- A randomized
Hilla Ben-Pazi1, Adi Aran1, Anand Pandyan2
1Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Aim:
To investigate the impact of auditory stimulation on motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and disabling hypertonia.
Method:
9 matched pairs (age: 7y5m, SD 4y1m; 13 boys; gross-motor-functional-classification-scale: median 4; manual-ability-classification-system: median 4) were randomized to receive either auditory stimulation embedded in music (study, n = 9) or music alone (sham, control, n = 9) for at least 10 minutes 4 times a week for 4 weeks. Goal-Attainment-Scale, Care-and-Comfort-Hypertonicity-Questionnaire, Gross-Motor-Function-Measure and Quality-of-Upper-Extremity-Skills-Test (QUEST) were assessed before and 5 months following intervention.
Result:
Children receiving auditory stimulation attained more goals than children who listened to music alone (p = 0.002). Parents reported improved care and comfort in children in the study group compared to a slight deterioration in controls (p = 0.002). Upper extremity skills improved in the study group compared to controls (p = 0.006). Similar gross motor function changes were documented in both groups (p = 0.41). One participant reported increased seizure frequency; no other participants with epilepsy reported increased seizure frequency (n = 6/18) and no other adverse events were reported.
Interpretation:
Auditory stimulation alleviated hypertonia and improved fine and gross motor functions.
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