Neurodevelopmental therapy is not more effective in improving gross motor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy when compared to alternative therapy or no therapy

Problem/Condition Cerebral palsy is classified as a neuromuscular disorder with the main symptoms being motor, postural, neurological, and muscle tone impairments. This disorder is caused two different ways. Congenital cerebral palsy is caused by injury or illness at or before birth; this is the most common form. Acquired cerebral palsy is caused by an injury that occurs in early childhood. Cerebral palsy is categorized based on where the lesion is located in the brain as well as by which limbs are affected. A lesion to the motor cortex of the brain causes spastic cerebral palsy with high tone being the primary physical symptom. A lesion in the basal ganglia produces diakinesis, dystonia, or athetosis, all of which are characterized by fluctuations in muscle tone. Cerebral palsy is also classified based on which limbs are affected by the lesions in the brain. When the upper and lower limbs on one side of the body are affected it is referred to as hemiplegic cerebral palsy. When all of the limbs are affected, that is classified as tetraplegia or quadriplegia. Finally, if all four limbs are involved, but the upper extremities are only mildly affected it is referred to as diplegia (Case-Smith & O’Brian, 2010). Neurodevelopmental therapy is designed to address deficient motor performance skills that are affected by the impairments of cerebral palsy. In this critically appraised topic, the studies reviewed specifically looked at the ability of NDT to improve gross motor function, which is a common deficit in cerebral palsy. Children rely on gross motor skills in order to participate within their environment by crawling, walking, or using the stairs (functional mobility ADL). These skills are also used as children are exploring their world and the leisure activities available to them. Play is a major occupation of children, especially in the younger age ranges, and gross motor skills such as reaching allow them to play at the best of their abilities.