Early Intervention in Cerebral Palsy: Perception-Action vs Neurodevelopmental Therapy
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: Perception-Action Approach, Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Palsy Early Intervention. Basic parameters: 6 months — 36 months · 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
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- 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
Efficacy of the Perception-Action Approach Versus Neurodevelopmental Therapy in Early Intervention for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two different physiotherapy approaches used in early intervention for children with cerebral palsy. These approaches are the Perception-Action Approach and Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath). The study aims to understand which approach is more effective in supporting neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood in Cerebral Palsy. The main questions this study aims to answer are: How does the Perception-Action Approach affect motor function in young children with cerebral palsy? How does Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath) affect motor function in young children with cerebral palsy? Are there differences in outcomes between these two approaches? Researchers will compare these two approaches to see which one better supports motor development. Participants will: Be children aged 0 to 36 months with cerebral palsy or at high risk Be assigned to one of the two therapy groups Receive one therapy session per week for 12 weeks Be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized tests The results of this study may help therapists and families choose the most effective early intervention approach for children with cerebral palsy.
Interventions
- Behavioral Perception-Action Approach
A physiotherapy intervention based on the Perception-Action Approach, emphasizing active exploration, self-initiated movement, and variability within meaningful tasks. - Behavioral Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath)
A physiotherapy intervention based on Neurodevelopmental Therapy (Bobath), using therapeutic handling and facilitation to support alignment, postural organization, and movement quality during functional activities.
Primary outcome measures
- Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 12 weeks of intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 12 weeks of intervention]
- Infant Motor Profile (IMP) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 12 weeks of intervention]
- Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 12 weeks of intervention]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
- Being at high risk for Cerebral Palsy (based on MRI or cranial ultrasound findings and neurological examination)
- Age between 0-36 months (using corrected age for preterm infants)
- Parental agreement to participate in the study and attend all assessment and therapy sessions; signed informed consent form from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
Exclusion criteria
- Presence of severe visual or hearing impairment that would prevent full participation in therapy sessions
- Uncontrolled seizures
- Receipt of botulinum toxin injection or orthopedic surgery within the last 6 months
- Diagnosis of an additional neurometabolic, genetic, or other neurological disorder
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
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- Pick, H. L. (1994). Eleanor J. Gibson: Learning to perceive and perceiving to learn. In A century of developmental psychology (pp. 527-544). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10155-018
- Harbourne RT, Willett S, Kyvelidou A, Deffeyes J, Stergiou N. A comparison of interventions for children with cerebral palsy to improve sitting postural control: a clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2010 Dec;90(12):1881-98. doi: 10.2522/ptj.2010132. Epub 2010 Oct 21. PMID 20966212
- Hadders-Algra M, Boxum AG, Hielkema T, Hamer EG. Effect of early intervention in infants at very high risk of cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2017 Mar;59(3):246-258. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.13331. Epub 2016 Dec 7. PMID 27925172
- Damiano DL, Longo E. Early intervention evidence for infants with or at risk for cerebral palsy: an overview of systematic reviews. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2021 Jul;63(7):771-784. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14855. Epub 2021 Apr 6. PMID 33825199
- Butler C, Darrah J. Effects of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) for cerebral palsy: an AACPDM evidence report. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2001 Nov;43(11):778-90. doi: 10.1017/s0012162201001414. No abstract available. PMID 11730153
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07575659 · 2026/55