Myofascial Release Plus Physiotherapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy Post Achilles Tendon Surgery in Gaza (MFR-CP25)

Ismail K. Al-Qudra

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Cerebral Palsy Achilles Tendon Contracture Achilles Tendon Surgery

Treatments: Other: Myofascial Release Technique; Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07148856

MScPT_CP_MFR2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

"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."

Full 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."

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 2 to 5 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Conventional Physiotherapy (CPT)

Active Comparator group

Description:

"Participants will receive a standard conventional physiotherapy program following Achilles tendon surgery. The program includes stretching, strengthening, mobility, and functional training exercises designed to enhance recovery and improve lower limb function."

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release (CPT + MFR)

Experimental group

Description:

"Participants will receive the same conventional physiotherapy program as the control group combined with myofascial release technique. The manual therapy will be applied to the lower limb and ankle region to improve fascial mobility, enhance soft tissue flexibility, and increase ankle range of motion."

Treatment:

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Other: Myofascial Release Technique