Part II: Evaluation

Abstract

This article describes a pilot study set up to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment program aimed at decreasing the pre-feeding behaviours of tongue thrust, drooling and gag reflex hypersensitivity in five selected cerebral palsied children. The treatment was based on Margaret S. Rood's neurophysiological intervention, and consisted of techniques of tactile and proprioceptive stimulation. Effects of the treatment were evaluated by comparing post-Rood-treatment assessment scores of tongue tolerance and percentage of food rejected to post-placebo-treatment assessment scores. Results of the tongue tolerance component of the assessment indicated that one of the Rood techniques (i.e. tongue walking), effected a decrease in gag reflex hypersensitivity of all the children in the study sample, its maximal effect being cumulative over the duration of the study. The measure of percentage of food rejected indicated that the other techniques used did not have universal effects on pre-feeding behaviours of the study sample. While some of the children seemed to have benefitted from the treatment, the results suggested that for others the techniques used, vibration especially, may actually have had harmful effects. It was concluded that, if it is to be advocated for the treatment of cerebral palsied children, the Rood-treatment approach should be further researched.