Therapeutic Potential of Myofascial Structural Integration in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The investigators hypothesize that children with spastic cerebral palsy will show greater improvements in gross motor function, associated developmental skills and growth after the 3 months of myofascial structural integration treatment, a form of deep massage, than they showed after a 3- or 6-month pre-treatment waiting period. The investigators further hypothesize that children with spastic CP will maintain their gains in gross motor function for ≥ 3 months after completion of MSI treatment.

Detailed Description
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The investigators will talk to you by telephone to determine if your child is eligible for the study. The study lasts for a total of 12 months with the massage treatment period lasting 12 weeks. The study entails a total of 10 sessions of Myofascial Structural Integration therapy over the 12-week period. Each session will last one hour. The child will have an evaluation of motor functions and development on enrollment and at three-month intervals for a total of 5 evaluations.

Official Title
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Therapeutic Potential of Myofascial Structural Integration in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Conditions
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Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Rolfing / Myofascial Structural Integration


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children from 1 up to, but not including, 7 years of age Children having the diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy Children who have spasticity in one or both upper or lower limbs Children who are classified as either Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level 2, 3 or 4 or Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) level 2, 3, 4 or 5 Exclusion Criteria: Children with active seizure disorders Children taking more than one medication to control their seizures Children with severe health problems that could be exacerbated by the treatment (such as severe chronic lung disease) Children who have undergone surgical treatments or botulinum injections within 6 months of entering the study Children who have planned surgical interventions during the studies time course Children with sensory, cognitive or language deficits which would affect their ability to understand directions necessary for assessment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 1 Year
Maximum Age: 3 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Rolfing After 3-Month Wait<br>The children in this arm receive the therapy (rolfing / myofascial structural integration) 3 months after they start the study. | Other: Rolfing / Myofascial Structural Integration<br>* Rolfing is similar to deep massage. It is also known as myofascial structural integration.<br>|
| Other: Rolfing After 6-Month Wait<br>The children in this arm receive the therapy (rolfing / myofascial structural integration) 6 months after they start the study. | Other: Rolfing / Myofascial Structural Integration<br>* Rolfing is similar to deep massage. It is also known as myofascial structural integration.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Gross Motor Function Measure Score |  | at Enrollment and every 3 months thereafter for up to 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in GAITRite Mat Measures |  | at Enrollment and every 3 months thereafter for up to 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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spasticity, cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, diplegia, paraplegia, quadriplegia, quadriparesis