SPECIFICS OF PHYSICAL REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
Authors: Sierkov O. Yu. , Nesterchuk N. E. , Mykhailova I. O. , Semenchuk O.V. , Dovnich E. A. , Yarmoshevych O. S. 
Published: October 2024

Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term that covers a group of diseases that manifest themselves mainly in impaired movement, balance and posture. The number of children affected by this disease is constantly growing around the world. Today, cerebral palsy is one of the most common forms of childhood disability, affecting approximately 2-3 children per 1000 births.
Purpose. to analyse and systematise the specifics of physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.
Materials and methods. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researchers analysed scientific literature and systematised information using electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and others.
Research results. The main approaches and methods of physical rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy are traditional physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, botulinum therapy, robotic systems and therapy using virtual reality technologies. The main aspects of physiotherapy are assessment and planning, improving mobility and correcting posture, rehabilitation after surgery, and involvement in everyday life. Hydrotherapy uses the therapeutic properties of water to improve the physical functions and general well-being of children with this disease.  The methods of hydrotherapy include swimming, exercises in a hydromassage pool, therapeutic exercises in water, and physiotherapy techniques. Botulinum toxin therapy (BT) is a spasticity treatment with the highest level of scientific evidence, which has been used for ~30 years in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Botulinum toxin type A is used during botulinum therapy, which is a neurotoxin that blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles. This leads to a temporary weakening of the muscles, which helps to reduce spasticity and alleviate symptoms. Robotic systems and virtual reality (VR) technologies are innovative approaches used to rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy (CP). These technologies offer new opportunities to improve physical function and quality of life for children.
Conclusions. Among a large number of traditional methods of physiotherapy, scientists highlight the high efficiency of Bobath therapy in the physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. This is also confirmed by the research of Vitalia Kashuba and Bozhena Bukhovets, who developed a physical rehabilitation programme that included Bobath therapy. Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is an important part of the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. It uses the healing properties of water to improve the physical functions and overall well-being of children with this disease. Research by Aikaterini Bayraktariadou, Konstantinos Chandolias and others demonstrates that hydrotherapy, either as an individual treatment or in combination with a standard exercise programme on land, can significantly contribute to improved mobility, increased exercise endurance and a better quality of life. Botulinum toxin is widely used in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. A study by Farid Hareb and others shows that botulinum toxin therapy can be an effective method for improving the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy, helping to reduce spasticity and improve their motor function. Also, robotic technologies and VR have recently been actively introduced into the physical rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. Research by Hyun Cho Chang, Menekseoglu Ahmet Kivanc, and Rocio Llamas-Ramos confirms the feasibility of combining traditional physiotherapy with robotic systems and virtual reality.