RESEARCH PROPOSAL: EFFECTIVENESS OF REBOUND THERAPY ON ADULT CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

Physical therapy is commonly used in the long-term management of cerebral palsy to improve functional outcomes by addressing abnormal muscle tone, range of motion, movement patterns, and in some cases pain. As cerebral palsy has a range of different presentations, there is a need for different treatment options to achieve better individualised care. One form of physical therapy that has existed since the 1970s is rebound therapy, a structured form of physiotherapy that uses trampolines to help mobilise individuals. Often perceived as being more enjoyable, rebound therapy could offer an alternative to traditional stretching or resistance-based therapy that may be more suitable for some patients. However, like many forms of physical therapy, there is limited high-quality evidence evaluating and supporting its use, especially in adults. The following proposal outlines the details for a single-blinded randomised control study that aims to evaluate the efficacy of rebound therapy in adults. To support this, a literature review is also performed to evaluate existing studies focusing on rebound therapy in individuals with cerebral palsy and to identify gaps in the current knowledge. The literature review finds that all relevant studies on the topic have been performed in children and supports the notion of a study that focuses on outcomes in adults