The effects of music therapy on gross motor functions, pain and level of functional independence in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to observe the effects of music therapy on gross motor functions, pain, and functional independence measurement in children with cerebral palsy(CP). Material and Method: One hundred and twenty children with CP between 5-11years of age,were randomly divided into a music therapy(MT)+Neurodevelopmental techniques(NDT) group and only NDT group. The children listened to Classical music disc for 45 minutes. Children were treated by NDT while listening to this music. Children were evaluated with Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM-88), WeeFIM for functional independence measurement,Wong-Baker faces pain rating scale (FACES) for pain intensity before, at the end of treatment and after 3 months of treatment. The treatments were given 3 times every week, and totally 15 treatments were applied for 5 weeks. Results: GMFM, functional independence and pain were also improved in Group MT+NDT. The differences in improvement of creeping and kneeling, standing, and walking were significant between the two groups (p<0.001), showing the effect in Group MT+NDT was better than that in Group NDT. Discussion: MT, which is applied additionally in the treatment of children with spastic CP, reduces the pain of children more and increases the gross motor functions and functional capacities according to the rehabilitation program applied alone.