Parental Perceptions of the Therapeutic Effect from Osteopathic Manipulation or Acupuncture in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Fifty children were involved in a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of either osteopathic manipulation or acupuncture as a 6-month therapeutic adjunct for children with spastic cerebral palsy. Exit interviews were used to obtain parental perceptions and form the basis of this report. Only 2 of 17 parents reported positive gains while their child was in a wait-list control period but all 17 reported gains while in the treatment phase of the study. Ninety-six percent (48 of 50) of the parents reported some improvement while their child was receiving treatments but the gains varied from child to child. The most frequent gains were seen in improvement in the use of arms or legs (61% and 68%) and more restful sleep (39% and 68%) in the osteopathic and the acupuncture groups, respectively. Improvement in mood and improved bowel function were also very common benefits noted by the parents in both groups.