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Nonsurgical Therapies for Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Network Meta-Analysis
Yike Xu1,2,3, Dongmei Zhuang4, Fenglan Chen2
1Department of Psychiatry, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Pediatrics
|June 10, 2025
Summary
Nonsurgical therapies like biofeedback, hippotherapy, and acupuncture effectively manage spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) symptoms. Acupuncture shows consistent benefits for spasticity, motor function, and daily living in SCP patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) significantly impacts motor function due to spasms.
- Existing nonsurgical therapies for SCP lack comparative efficacy data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare the effectiveness of various nonsurgical therapies for spastic cerebral palsy.
- To identify therapies that improve spasticity, motor function, walking, and daily living abilities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) up to February 2025.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating nonsurgical interventions for SCP.
- Extraction and meta-analysis of effect sizes using a random effects model.
Main Results:
- Eighty-one RCTs involving 5765 studies were analyzed.
- Multiple therapies, including biofeedback, acupuncture, and whole-body vibration, demonstrated significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in gross motor function.
- Acupuncture showed significant enhancements in daily living and walking abilities.
Conclusions:
- Biofeedback, hippotherapy, and acupuncture were identified as effective interventions for SCP across multiple outcomes.
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy showed efficacy across different spasticity levels.
- Acupuncture exhibited consistent and significant benefits, suggesting substantial therapeutic potential for SCP management.
