Effect of Incorporation of Regular Rhythm in Exercises on Motor Function of Children with Cerebral Palsy Nerurkar Amruta, Associate Professor, Yardi Sujata, Professor and Director Department of Physiotherapy, Pad. Dr. D. Y. Patil University Online published on 19 June, 2015. Abstract Motor learning in a child demands orientation and integration of various cognitive, emotional, sensory motor and musculoskeletal systems. Therapy has focused on allowing optimal arousability, sensitivity and alignment of these systems to create internal and external environments conducive to motor learning in children with cerebral palsy. Music and especially rhythmic musical cues have been used in individuals with Parkinson's disease, stroke and autism with relatively less research being performed in children with Cerebral Palsy. In the current study, 12 children with cerebral palsy (age group of 6 to 12 years) Age Group of 6 to 12 years with Intelligence Quotient of 80 or above (Wechsler scale), without any auditory dysfunction and with severity of disability on GMFMCS graded as II, III and IV were divided into 2 groups of 6 each. The experimental group received 6 weeks of training in activities performed in synchronization with regular beats played by a Digital Metronome. This was done in addition to conventional Physiotherapy which was received by both Groups. Motor function was assessed on Gross Motor Function Scale 66 and Jebson Taylor Hand Function Measure. Results Between Group analysis was performed for Differences in GMFM scores using Man Whitney U test which showed significantly greater change in % of Gross Motor Function (p value 0.038). Between Group analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in changes observed on Jebson Taylor hand function Measure in all areas in terms of time taken. This suggests that children with cerebral palsy without mental retardation can be trained with rhythmic musical or non musical cues to improve their feedforward planning strategies which may reflect on their ambulatory skills as well as their speed of activity. Top Keywords Regular rhythm, Cerebral Palsy, Motor Function. Top |