Myofascial Release Plus Physiotherapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy Post Achilles Tendon Surgery in Gaza (MFR-CP25)
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Conventional Physiotherapy, Myofascial Release Technique.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cerebral Palsy Achilles Tendon Contracture Achilles Tendon Surgery. Basic parameters: 2 years — 5 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Palestinian Territories
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Effect of a Combination of Myofascial Release Technique to Conventional Physiotherapy Program on Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Cerebral Palsy Post Achilles Tendon Surgery in the Gaza Strip
Overview
"This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding Myofascial Release (MFR) technique to a conventional physiotherapy program for children with cerebral palsy after Achilles tendon surgery. The primary goal is to determine whether MFR can improve functional outcomes such as gross motor function and ankle range of motion, compared to physiotherapy alone. The study will be conducted in Gaza, Palestine, with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy who recently underwent Achilles tendon surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either conventional physiotherapy or conventional physiotherapy combined with MFR, and outcomes will be assessed before and after an 8-week intervention program."
Detailed description
"Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often develop musculoskeletal complications, including Achilles tendon contractures, which may require surgical intervention. Despite surgery, many children continue to experience limitations in functional mobility and reduced range of motion. Conventional physiotherapy programs are commonly provided postoperatively to enhance recovery; however, additional manual therapy techniques such as Myofascial Release (MFR) may further improve outcomes.
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effectiveness of adding MFR to conventional physiotherapy for children with CP after Achilles tendon surgery in Gaza. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a control group (conventional physiotherapy only) or an intervention group (conventional physiotherapy plus MFR). Functional outcomes, including gross motor function (GMFM-88) and ankle range of motion, will be measured pre- and post-intervention. It is hypothesized that children receiving MFR in addition to conventional physiotherapy will demonstrate greater improvements in functional mobility and ankle range of motion compared to those receiving physiotherapy alone."
Interventions
- Other Conventional Physiotherapy
A standard physiotherapy program provided after Achilles tendon surgery, including stretching, strengthening, mobility, and functional training exercises - Other Myofascial Release Technique
A manual therapy technique applied to the lower limb and ankle region, aiming to release fascial restrictions, improve soft tissue flexibility, and enhance ankle range of motion.
Primary outcome measures
- Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) [Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) [Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention]
- Ankle Range of Motion (ROM) [Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Children aged 2-5 years
- Spastic cerebral palsy diagnosis (GMFCS levels I-IV).
- Underwent Achilles tendon surgery within the past 3 months
- Medically stable and cleared to begin physiotherapy.
- Parental/guardian consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria
- Other neuromuscular disorders
- Severe cognitive impairments that hinder participation
- Previous MFR therapy within the last 6 months
- Participation in another rehabilitation study in the past 3 months.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Palestinian Territories · 1 center
- The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre - Al-Ahli Al-Arabi Hospital, Gaza — Gaza
Publications
- Russell DJ, Rosenbaum PL, Avery LM, Lane M. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66 & GMFM-88) User's Manual. Cambridge University Press; 2002.
- Barnes MF. The basic science of myofascial release: morphologic change in connective tissue. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 1997;1(4):231-238.
- Novak I, Morgan C, Fahey M, Finch-Edmondson M, Galea C, Hines A, Langdon K, Namara MM, Paton MC, Popat H, Shore B, Khamis A, Stanton E, Finemore OP, Tricks A, Te Velde A, Dark L, Morton N, Badawi N. State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020 Feb 21;20(2):3. doi: 10.1007/s1191 PMID 32086598
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07148856 · MScPT_CP_MFR2025