Effect of Vojta Therapy in Inhibiting the Primitive Reflexes in Children with Athetoid CP – A Pilot Study

Author: Ramya K., Senthilkumar M., Prabhakaradoss D., Mallika S., Baskaran A. and D.S. Jeyanthi

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Abstract

Athetoid CP stands second to hemiplegic CP in prevalence and is mainly due to lesion in basal ganglia and or cerebellum, and might be due to brain injuries in fetal life or during delivery or after delivery till three months of age. Dyskinesia is the main feature of this type and the child represents with abnormal posturing, tone and involuntary movements. The persistence of primitive reflex is identified as the main cause which essentially affects the motor development of the child. This study was conducted among forty eight children who were diagnosed as Athetoid CP and fall between age 1 and 4 with GMFCS level IV and V and persistent ATNR, startle primitive reflexes formed the population of the study. Other types of CP children, children with spinal deformities, severe hip deformities and children with GMFCS level of I, II, III were excluded from the study. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups – the Control group and the Experimental group and they received the Conventional Physiotherapy Exercises and Vojta Therapy with assistive devices for a period of of 4 days a week for 8 weeks respectively. The outcome measures of motor development and Reflex integration were assessed through GMFM score and Reflex Integration Scale. At the end of 8 weeks, the post test was done and the statistical analysis of the data revealed that the paired t-test was significant for the GMFM and the unpaired t-test was significant for all the components of GMFM – Lying, rolling, sitting, crawling and kneeling and Reflex integration, whereas the Control group showed significant improvement in the GMFM components of Lying, Rolling and sitting alone. Hence it was assumed that the Experimental group which received Vojta therapy along with positioning with postural devices like CP chair, Corner Chair performed well in all the outcomes and can be suggested as choice of treatment for athetoid CP children. There were challenges in maintaining the position of the child, but it was met by placing an attendant or the child’s mother near the child to distract the child from change of positioning or crying.

Keywords

Athetoid CP, Vojta Therapy, Assistive Devices, Positioning of Children, Primitive Reflex

Conclusion

The study concludes that Vojta therapy has proven results in improving the motor development and inhibiting the primitive reflexes in children with athetoid CP.

References

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How to cite this article

Ramya K., Senthilkumar M., Prabhakaradoss D., Mallika S., Baskaran A. and D.S. Jeyanthi (2023). Effect of Vojta Therapy in Inhibiting the Primitive Reflexes in Children with Athetoid CP – A Pilot Study. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5): 1550-1553.