Physiotherapy for young people with movement disorders: factors influencing commencement and duration

A questionnaire sent to the parents of 105 patients aged between nine and 20 years with movement disorders was answered by 81 parents. 51 per cent of the patients were undergoing physiotherapy, and these had been having physiotherapy for almost all of their lives. Patients with lower mobility scores and those with both parents participating tended to continue with physiotherapy. Mobility scores were less of a determinant for girls than for boys for continuing or discontinuing physiotherapy. The diagnosis of cerebral palsy combined with an early start to physiotherapy also gave a higher continuation rate.