Effects of a conductive education course in young children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effects of a conductive education (CE) course followed by conventional practice, on gross motor function, other functional skills, quality of life and parents’ experiences of family-centred services in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Twenty-one children with CP, 3-6 years old, were randomised to one three-week CE course followed by conventional practice or conventional practice on a waiting list. Outcomes were measured four months after baseline. A web-based log collected data on the conventional practice. Results: No additional improvements in the children’s outcome were found. However, parents in the CE group reported that they received more information than parents in the waiting list group (p=0.01). Children in both groups performed high amount of conventional practice at home. Conclusions: A three-week CE course did not add any improvements in the children’s functioning, possibly explained by the large amount of conventional practice reported of both groups.