COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTEGRATED PHYSIOTHERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ON MOTOR FUNCTION, SENSORY PROCESSING, AND FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND CEREBRAL PALSY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYTICAL STUDY

Vollständiger Abstract

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Background: Children with ASD and CP present unique challenges that therapists need to address in multiple domains. We present a unique analysis that compares integrated physiotherapy and occupational therapy with conventional rehabilitation. Methods: A dataset of patients coming for rehabilitation in Viklang Bhawan Hospital, B.C.P.O., Patna Medical College & Hospital, Bihar., consisted of 80 individuals (aged 4-14) evenly distributed in four groups: ASD-integrated, ASD-conventional, CP-integrated, and CP-conventional. The 12-week integrated program included a variety of approaches including task-oriented, gross motor, and postural control and strengthening exercises, sensory regulation and fine motor activities, and activities of daily living. Results were measured by motor function and sensory-functional processing, and the degree of functional independence. Statistical approaches included paired tests, baseline-adjusted linear models, correlations, and multivariable regression. Results: Mean motor improvement was 13.7 with integrated care and 7.8 with conventional care. The improvement in functional independence was 19.3 with integrated care and 9.5 with conventional care. All baseline-adjusted models of integrated therapy were favorable. Motor improvement and independence gains correlated positively (r = 0.81). Adherence contributed positively and significantly to functional improvement. There were no serious adverse events. Conclusion: Analysis of the dataset shows that integrated physiotherapy and occupational therapy, compared with conventional rehabilitation, resulted in larger improvements that were more congruent in the areas of sensory regulation and daily independence. The study shows the potential of diagnosis-sensitive and goaloriented interdisciplinary programming. Keywords: autism spectrum disorder; cerebral palsy; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; motor function; sensory processing; functional independence