Delivering physiotherapy services in developing countries for children with cerebral palsy: An example from North Uganda (ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
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Title
Delivering physiotherapy services in developing countries for children with cerebral palsy: An example from North Uganda (ORIGINAL ARTICLE)
Subject
rehabilitation, developing countries, children
Description
Objectives: This study aims to test the feasibility of a mixed outpatient/home physiotherapy programme on a sample of children with cerebral
palsy screened at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu, Uganda from January to December 2017.
Methods: Improvement in motor function was investigated using the Gross Motor Function Measure 66-item version (GMFM-66, range: 0
to 100, the higher the score, the better the condition). Physiotherapy treatment and home exercise training for the caregivers of children
were carried out at baseline and then every 2 weeks for 3 months to follow. Changes in GMFM-66 score were collected in week six and
twelve.
Results: Patients who attended at least one of these visits were analysed. Fifty-five children aged 0.5–12 years were enrolled, 67% (37/55) were
lost at follow-ups. The eighteen participating children throughout the programme scored a median GMFM-66 score of 13.5 at baseline, 16.0 in
week six, and 19.7 in week twelve (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: This programme can lead to clinical improvement. Feasibility, however, depends on the accessibility of physiotherapy services
and on community-based interventions.
palsy screened at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu, Uganda from January to December 2017.
Methods: Improvement in motor function was investigated using the Gross Motor Function Measure 66-item version (GMFM-66, range: 0
to 100, the higher the score, the better the condition). Physiotherapy treatment and home exercise training for the caregivers of children
were carried out at baseline and then every 2 weeks for 3 months to follow. Changes in GMFM-66 score were collected in week six and
twelve.
Results: Patients who attended at least one of these visits were analysed. Fifty-five children aged 0.5–12 years were enrolled, 67% (37/55) were
lost at follow-ups. The eighteen participating children throughout the programme scored a median GMFM-66 score of 13.5 at baseline, 16.0 in
week six, and 19.7 in week twelve (P = 0.02).
Conclusions: This programme can lead to clinical improvement. Feasibility, however, depends on the accessibility of physiotherapy services
and on community-based interventions.
Creator
Laura Alberghina, Emmanuel Ochola, Cosmas Turibamwe, Venice Omona, Silvia Stacchiotti, and Chiara Malloggi
Source
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/ijcoms/lyac004
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Date
28 April 2022
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Files
Collection
Citation
Laura Alberghina, Emmanuel Ochola, Cosmas Turibamwe, Venice Omona, Silvia Stacchiotti, and Chiara Malloggi, “Delivering physiotherapy services in developing countries for children with cerebral palsy: An example from North Uganda (ORIGINAL ARTICLE),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/11118.