Treatment effectiveness in cerebral palsy.

To determine the effectiveness of treatment, 53 cerebral palsy patients were divided into two groups of 31 dependent patients (D) and 22 independent patients (I), according to their activities of daily living (ADL) status at first entry into treatment. For 44 patients, the quantity and type of treatment was monitored at various intervals and correlated with any changes in ADL status. Evaluation of nine patients was made at entry and termination only. Although improvement was observed in various areas of function, independent ADL status was achieved by only 13% (4/31) of group D over a follow-up period of six to 25 years (average 18.8 years). Neither surgery, therapy, nor time appeared to have a significant effect in reducing physical or social dependence of the patients studied. Although various factors potentially affecting outcome were investigated, only intelligence appeared to influence outcome directly. The implications of social and medical data are discussed.