Fascial Manipulation Compared to Stretching for Rehabilitation of Children With Cerebral Palsy: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Maintaining and improving motor function is essential in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Stretching is traditionally used to prevent muscle tightness and contractures to improve movement patterns in children with CP. Fascial manipulation (FM) is an increasingly used manual therapy method for movement difficulties associated with CP. However, evidence for FM remains limited, and its benefits over conventional stretching are unclear. A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) is warranted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a definitive trial comparing FM with stretching. This study protocol describes a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial comparing FM and stretching in children with CP to inform the design and conduct of a future definitive RCT.