Cerebral Palsy and Chiropractic

This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
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Chiropractic Research Results for Cerebral Palsy

	Changes in Muscle Spasticity in Patients With Cerebral Palsy After Spinal Manipulation: Case Series J Chiropractic Medicine 2016 (Dec); 15 (4): 299—304 Substantial decrease in spasticity was noted in all patient groups after SM. The average NC values decreased by 1.65 newtons (from 7.6 ± 6.2 to 5.9 ± 6.5) after 1 SM. Another slight decrease of 0.5 newtons was noted after a 2–week course of treatment. In the group of patients with minimal spasticity, the decrease in NC after the first SM was almost twofold-from 3.93 ± 2.9 to 2.01 ± 1.0. In cases of moderate spasticity, NC reduction was noted only after the 2–week course of intensive treatment.
	Improvement in Paraspinal Muscle Tone, Autonomic Function and Quality of Life in Four Children with Cerebral Palsy Undergoing Subluxation Based Chiropractic Care J Vertebral Subluxation Research 2006 (Jun 21): 1–15 Chiropractic care directed at reduction of subluxation was undertaken. Paraspinal surface electromyography and thermography readings were taken prior to the initiation of care and approximately one month (12 visits) later. The mothers and care providers in each case monitored changes in activities of daily living and quality of life. All four children showed improvement in paraspinal muscle tone (improved symmetry and decreased amplitude) as well as a decrease in the number of levels of abnormal thermography readings. All four children showed improvement in activities of daily living including mobility, feeding, and postural control.
	Combined Treatment with Techniques of Manual Medicine and Physiotherapy in Children with Infantile Cerebral Palsy Manuelle Medizin 2003 (Aug); 41 (4): 279–827 The 54 children improved by 2.95 points (on the GMFM) or by 6.8% in their gross motor abilities during the first 2–week complex therapy. During the 7–month subsequent observation period the 18 remaining patients' former results were augmented by a further gain of 1.31 points or 3.13%. There was a long-term improvement by 3.4 points or 10.44% after the total study period of 7.5 months. After a second 2–week course of complex therapy the overall improvement in gross motor abilities was 5.71 points or 17.53%.

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Since 7–02–2003

Updated 6-24-2022