The Effects of a Sensory Integration Exercise Program on Motor Function and Functional Independence of Spastic Cerebral Palsy Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how applying a sensory integration exercise program with children that have spastic cerebral palsy affects the children’s motor function and functional independence. The experiment was conducted on 16 children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. The sensory integration exercise program was conducted in 90 minutes sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. It was divided into four intervals, with each two-week period being counted as one interval. In regards to gross motor functions, there was a significant increase at both 4 weeks of application and 8 weeks of application in the sitting, crawling, and kneeling positions (p<0.05). Among functional independence, in the self-care, sphincter control, mobility, and locomotion categories there was a significant increase at both 4 weeks of application and 8 weeks of application (p<0.05). It was found that a sensory integrated exercise program is an effective therapeutic intervention method to improve the motor function and functional independence, which is a measure of motor function, in children with spastic cerebral palsy.