NCT07485894

Effectiveness of the Petö Method on Gross Motor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Quasi-experimental Pilot Study.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PETÖ METHOD ON GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL PILOT STUDY.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 13 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universidad de Almeria · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 4 Years – 9 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood. The Petö Method proposes a comprehensive pedagogical-therapeutic approach to improve functionality. Historically, the Petö Method (Conductive Education) has faced skepticism regarding its clinical efficacy. Notable reports, such as the one by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), have previously concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its use. However, these critiques emphasized that prior studies suffered from serious methodological deficiencies and a lack of validated measurement instruments. Our study directly addresses these gaps by implementing the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Unlike older scales, the GMFM-66 provides a valid and reliable estimate of motor behavior in children with CP, offering the sensitivity required to detect minimal yet clinically relevant changes. In our results, the Petö Method is shown to be an effective intervention for improving gross motor function in children with significant levels of motor impairment. The observed changes are not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant, exceeding the minimal detectable change and promoting functional autonomy in activities of daily living.

Conditions

• Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Education	This methodology is distinguished by its hybrid nature: it is not defined solely as a medical therapy, but as a comprehensive educational system. Conductive Education is implemented by the 'conductor,' a professional with three to four years of transdisciplinary training in physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, and pedagogy, working in close collaboration with other health specialists.

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-03-01
• Primary completion: 2019-03-01
• Completion: 2022-03-01
• First posted: 2026-03-20
• Last updated: 2026-03-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain