Open AccessAuditory stimulation improves motor function and caretaker burden in children with cerebral palsy- A randomized double blind study
Author(s) -
Hilla BenPazi,
Adi Aran,
Anand Pandyan,
Nava Gelkop,
Gary Ginsberg,
Yehuda Pollak,
Debby Elnatan
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0208792
Subject(s) - gross motor function classification system , cerebral palsy , gross motor skill , hypertonia , transcranial magnetic stimulation , medicine , audiology , randomized controlled trial , stimulation , physical therapy , epilepsy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , adverse effect , psychology , motor skill , anesthesia , surgery , psychiatry
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.