Abstract: Objective To observe the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine bubble bath on the children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Methods 13 children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy received routine rehabilitation and bubble bath (control group), while 14 children received routine rehabilitation and Traditional Chinese Medicine bubble bath (experimental group). All the children were assessed with Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) of triceps surae muscle before and 10 weeks after treatment.Results The total score of GMFM-66 increased (P<0.001) and the MAS score decreased in both groups (P<0.01) after treatment. The dimensions B, D, and E of GMFM-66 only increased in the experimental group (P<0.05). The MAS score decreased more in the experimental group than in the control group after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Traditional Chinese Medicine bubble bath can improve gross motor function and reduce triceps surae muscle tension of the children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

Key words: cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia, hydrotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, bubble bath, gross motor function, spasticity