Effects of VOJTA Technique on Ataxic Cerebral Palsy.

Overview

Ataxic cerebral palsy (CP) is the least common subtype of CP and it is primarily caused by cerebellar damage that results in hypotonia, impaired balance, poor coordination, tremors, wide-based gait, and significant difficulties in trunk stability and uncontrolled movements. These impairments greatly affect functional mobility and independence in life. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of VOJTA therapy on muscle tone, gross motor function, and postural control in children with ataxic CP aged 2-6 years. VOJTA therapy is based on reflex locomotion, which activates innate central motor programs by stimulating specific pressure zones in defined positions, potentially improving postural alignment and coordinated muscle activation. A total of 40 children will be randomly assigned to either the VOJTA therapy group or a conventional physiotherapy group. Both groups will receive total of 5 sessions per week for 8 weeks and the Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for muscle tone, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) for gross motor function and Pediatric balance scale for for balance. This study hypothesizes that VOJTA therapy will produce greater improvements in muscle tone, gross motor function and balance as compared to conventional physical therapy techniques. Findings may support evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for ataxic CP and contribute to improved functional independence and quality of life in this understudied population.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifetime neurological condition caused by an early injury to the brain that cannot change over time, and although the brain injury itself is non-progressive, the motor problems can be different as they grow CP really affects the whole body movement, and the things that are performed by the body's muscles like, posture, coordination, muscle tone, and balance, In other cases, however, sensory processing challenges are present along with these and the child may experience delayed motor development. Among the different types of CP, ataxic cerebral palsy is the one that occurs least often, with an incidence of only around 5-10% of total CP cases. Although it is a type of cerebral palsy that is complex and therefore, more debilitating. The defining feature of ataxic CP which is mainly due to the cerebellar part of the brain being affected and motor commands of the body being uncoordinated and imprecise. Children affected by this type of CP usually have hypotonia, tremors when trying to perform a task, dysmetria, are unsteady or walk with feet far apart, have poor control of the upper body and reach motor skills later than the typical child, therefore every movement that they try to make, including the most basic ones like sitting, reaching, standing or walking, are very hard. Especially, the very important motor and communication functions of the hands, arms, and legs are affected. But although all of these problems point to a very serious form of CP, ataxic CP has so far gotten far less research attention than spastic CP and consequently, less clinical evidence-based guidance that is tailored specifically to this subtype. Most of the time, children that suffer from ataxic CP are subjected to traditional physiotherapy methods such as Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Bobath techniques, balance training, sensory integration, or strengthening exercises; however, these methods are only moderately successful as they do not directly address the specific coordination and postural control difficulties that are related to cerebellar dysfunction, thus, they do not offer any substantial change in the quality of life of the affected children. Since then the gap has become wider and that is why there is more and more interest in the neurophysiological methods that stimulate and activate the central motor pathways that are responsible for posture and movement. VOJTA therapy, which is also known as reflex locomotion therapy, provides a different method by the activation of movements that are automatic and innate through the specific stimulation of pressure that is applied while the child is in the defined postures. The treatment is thought to activate both spinal and supraspinal pathways thus increasing the muscle activation in the trunk, improving postural control, and causing the brain to generate new pathways. Studies on children suffering from cerebral palsy with spastic condition have reported better results in the areas of gross motor function, trunk stability, and early motor development. Neuroimaging has shown the activation of sensorimotor cortical areas during the stimulation of VOJTA. However, there is not enough research on the VOJTA therapy application for children with ataxic CP although they experience severe coordination and balance problems. This research intends to support filling this important gap by analyzing the VOJTA therapy effect on muscle tonicity, gross motor function, and balance in children aged 2-6 years with ataxic CP. Out of forty participants, some will be placed in the VOJTA therapy group while others will be put in the conventional physiotherapy group and the treatment will be done five times per week for eight weeks. The evaluation of the outcomes will be done at the beginning, after four weeks, and after eight weeks through the Modified Ashworth Scale for muscle tone, the Gross Motor Function Measure for motor performance, and the Pediatric Balance Scale for balance. The hypothesis of the study is that VOJTA therapy will bring about a more significant reduction of the problem in muscle tone, balance, and gross motor functions than conventional physiotherapy. This study, by concentrating on one of the least studied types of CP, has the capacity to help reshape clinical practice, enhance rehabilitation techniques better, and lead to less standard and more evidence-based care for the child with CP.