Analyzing the Effectiveness of Combined Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in Improving Postural Control, Daily Living Skills, and Social Participation Among Children with Autism and Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: Postural control is an important first step to mobility, hand use, and self-care, and allows for social participation. However, postural control is normally assessed in therapeutic outcome studies in isolation from the other constructs. The aim of this study was to determine if postural control, daily living skills, and social participation are improved to a greater degree by combined physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) than by usual care. Participants were children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy (CP) coming for rehabilitation in Viklang Bhawan Hospital, B.C.P.O., Patna Medical College & Hospital, Bihar. This study represents 90 children aged 4-14. Postural control was assessed three times (at baseline and at two follow-ups). Daily living skills and social participation were measured once before and once after the therapy sessions. Various statistical analyses were performed. The combined therapy group showed average changes of 12.4, 19.4, and 17.9 in postural control, daily living skills, and social participation, respectively.