Abstract: Objective To analyze the effect of conductive education combined with massage on activity of children with severe cerebral palsy. Methods 11 children (7 males and 4 females) with cerebral palsy receiving rehabilitation therapies in CereCare Wellness Centre of Xuhui, Shanghai from April to October 2010 were enrolled in this study. The type of cerebral palsy was as follows: 7 tetraplegia, 1 diplegia,2 athetoid, and 1 dystonia. The average age was 7.47 years, ranging from 4.7～11.9 years. The participants were divided randomly into 2groups. 5 children in group A accepted conductive education and massage therapy in the first 3 months, and then accepted routine rehabilitation therapies in the next 3 months. 6 children in group B accepted routine rehabilitation therapies in the first 3 months, and then accepted conductive education and massage therapy in the next 3 months. The phase of conductive education combined with massage was called intervention period, and the phase of routine rehabilitation therapies was called contrast period. The gross motor function was assessed with Gross Motor Function Measure Scale (GMFM), while the fine motor function was assessed with Fine Motor Function Measure Scale (FMFM).Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was used to assess activities of daily living. The different effects between conductive education combined with massage and routine rehabilitation therapies were compared. Results The scores of GMFM and FMFM both increased in intervention period, while both decreased in contrast period. The score of FMFM increased significantly (P<0.05). The scores of PEDI changed without statistical significance. Conclusion Conductive education combined with massage may increase the fine motor function of children with severe cerebral palsy compared with routine rehabilitation therapies.

Key words: cerebral palsy, conductive education, massage, activity, gross motor, fine motor