Functional improvement of young children with cerebral palsy treated with integrated/intensive rehabilitation and botulinum toxin injections.

[INTRODUCTION] Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) present mobility limitations altering their activity and participation in social life. The aim of this study was to assess changes in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) in children with CP who received repeated BoNT-A injections within a rehabilitation treatment over a five-year follow-up period.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] This retrospective, observational study included 200 consecutive children with bilateral CP (GMFCS I-IV). Annual assessments of the five-year follow-up period were analysed.

[RESULTS] The mean age of the patients at the beginning was 32.23 months (± 6.96). The GMFCS level improved in 67 (33.5%) (p < 0.001) and worsened in four (2%) children. In children with GMFCS III and IV levels, improvement was observed in 50% and 40%, respectively. FMS 5 and 50 metres improved in 54% and 52.5% of children respectively.

[CONCLUSIONS] Our study showed a significant, positive effect of integrated treatment on functional mobility in patients with CP.