Qualitative analysis of therapeutic motor intervention programmes for children with cerebral palsy: an update

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of therapeutic motor interventions for children with or at risk for cerebral palsy (CP), examining 50 studies covering the period from 1990 to 2001. The purpose was to review noticeable changes in the scientific quality of the studies and to highlight trends and changes in the nature of the evaluated programmes. Our results were compared with those of Vermeer and Bakx (1990) who reviewed the period from 1980 to 1989. It was concluded that fundamental research with adequate methodology was applied more often in the study period than in the period reviewed by Vermeer and Bakx. However, these developments did not lead to a substantial improvement in the scientific foundation of the interventions under study. Single case studies, combined with efforts to develop measures specifically for children with CP and with high sensitivity, might make more valuable contributions to the scientific justification of therapeutic interventions.