Cerebral palsy is a medical condition that can interfere with several functions of an individual’s brain and nervous system, such as movement, sight and hearing. Cognitive functions, such as thinking and learning, may also be affected by this medical condition. In many cases, patients with this disorder undergo several types of cerebral palsy rehabilitation, such as occupational, physical and speech therapy, to improve daily functioning in these areas.
Patients with cerebral palsy may receive treatment from a team of medical professionals. These health care workers often include physicians, therapists and psychologists. A patient’s cerebral palsy rehabilitation team usually develops a long-term plan of therapy and treatment for the patient. Typical goals of cerebral palsy rehabilitation include improving routine functioning and preparing a patient for increasing independence.
People with cerebral palsy may receive occupational therapy to improve their ability to perform basic daily tasks. In some cases, this type of rehabilitation focuses on improving a patient’s ability to use the bathroom, eat and get dressed independently. Posture and swallowing skills may improve as a result of this kind of therapy.
A physical therapist may help a cerebral palsy patient prevent or minimize muscle weakening and muscle rigidity with physical therapy. Daily exercise and strength training often improve the condition of a patient’s muscles. Therapy and assistive braces may help stretch muscles and prevent them from becoming fixed and inflexible.
Speech and language therapists help many cerebral palsy patients improve pronunciation and speaking abilities. This type of cerebral palsy rehabilitation often helps improve social skills like making facial expressions, eye contact and hand gestures. People with this medical condition may use a voice synthesizer or other assistive communication device to help with verbal communication.
Some children with mild cases of cerebral palsy benefit from recreational therapy. Therapists may accompany children on recreational activities such as horseback riding to improve their motor skills. The self-esteem and emotional well-being of these children often benefit from this type of therapy.
Cerebral palsy patients may use medications, including muscle relaxants such as diazepam or baclofen, to help improve muscle rigidity. These drugs have caused side effects, such as an upset stomach or drowsiness, in some patients. Botulinum toxin injections may relieve muscle spasms. In rare cases, breathing problems have occurred with the use of botulinum toxin.
Some cerebral palsy patients with severe muscle contracture undergo surgery to correct their deformities. Tendons, joints and bones may require surgical correction to improve leg and arm positioning. In some cases, a doctor may treat severe muscle spasms with surgical nerve cutting. Nerves that connect to spastic muscles are typically cut during this procedure in order to relax the affected muscles.
