The Comparison of Neurodevelopmental-Bobath Approach with Occupational Therapy Home Program on Gross Motor Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background: Traditional Bobath approach (TBA) is one of the several methods which is used for the treatment of children with cerebral palsy (CP) who are referred to occupational therapy settings. In this study the effect of TBA on the gross motor function (GMF) of children with CP was compared with that of the Home Program Bobath approach (HPBA). Methods: Thirty children with CP participated in this study. They were randomly assigned in two groups. Control group received Bobath traditional services for 12 sessions. In the intervention group, along with these services, parents participated in training program and followed the exercises. Scale was used to assess GMF before and after intervention. Results: Participants of this study consisted of 9 girls and 6 boys in traditional group and 10 girls and 5 boys in home-based group. The mean age of homebased group was 19.53±3.35 months and traditional group was 17.20±6.80. GMF increased significantly in both groups. In addition, differences between the two groups were significant (P=0.007). Conclusion: the results of this study showed that TBA with HPBA was more effective than the traditional ones.