Mashabi Abdulrhman, Saleh Maysoun N, Alharbi Ahmad A, Albalwi Abdulaziz A, Albalawi Hani F, Al-Bakri Qais
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah 42353, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia.
Children (Basel). 2025 Apr 24;12(5):544. doi: 10.3390/children12050544.
Physical therapy is crucial in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP), aiming to enhance motor function, postural control, and functional independence. The study explored the current physical therapy interventions for children with CP in Saudi Arabia, including waiting time, the most used interventions, the focus of therapy, and parents' desired goals. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 215 children with CP (aged 6 months to 18.2 years). Face-to-face surveys were conducted to collect data on CP classification (based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System), age at first referral, types of interventions used, intervention goals, and parents' desired goals for their children. Children with severe CP (non-ambulators) received physical therapy services significantly earlier than those with milder involvement (ambulators). The most commonly used interventions were therapeutic exercises and home exercises, followed by standing frames. Hydrotherapy was the least utilized intervention. The focus of therapy was mainly on joints and muscles, as well as mobility and transfers. The study underscores the need to identify and refer children with CP for physical therapy. The findings suggest further investigation into barriers to utilizing certain interventions like hydrotherapy and emphasize the need for more inclusive goal-setting processes in the rehabilitation of children with CP based on both physical therapy and parent perspectives.
物理治疗在脑瘫（CP）儿童的康复中至关重要，旨在提高运动功能、姿势控制和功能独立性。该研究探讨了沙特阿拉伯针对CP儿童的当前物理治疗干预措施，包括等待时间、最常用的干预措施、治疗重点以及家长的期望目标。进行了一项横断面研究，涉及215名CP儿童（年龄在6个月至18.2岁之间）。通过面对面调查收集有关CP分类（基于粗大运动功能分类系统）、首次转诊年龄、所使用的干预类型、干预目标以及家长对其子女的期望目标的数据。重度CP儿童（非步行者）比轻度受累儿童（步行者）接受物理治疗服务的时间明显更早。最常用的干预措施是治疗性锻炼和家庭锻炼，其次是站立架。水疗是使用最少的干预措施。治疗重点主要是关节和肌肉，以及移动性和转移。该研究强调了识别和转诊CP儿童接受物理治疗的必要性。研究结果表明，需要进一步调查使用水疗等某些干预措施的障碍，并强调在基于物理治疗和家长观点的CP儿童康复中需要更具包容性的目标设定过程。
