A 5-year retrospective cohort study of changes in ICF-CY parameters in Cerebral Palsy (CP) children and adolescents with cITB versus Control Group

Objective This study aims to compare the long-term results of cITB rehabilitation against those of conventional treatment for intractable spasticity in children with cerebral palsy using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health of Children and Youth (ICF-CY). Design 5-year single-center retrospective cohort study. Results The ICF-CY data from 24 patients with CP of GMFCS levels IV-V (aged between 8 and 18 years) were retrospectively analyzed for 5 years. The results show different trends between the 12 patients who received cITB and the 12 who were excluded due to contraindications. The cITB group improved spasticity, pain and BMI z-scores over 12 months and during the 5-year follow-up with a continuous simple Baclofen administration at a maximum of 140 μg/d at a concentration of 2000 μg/mL. Conclusions cITB improves Structure and Function, Autonomy, and Participation in both short and long term. Overall, the cITB group, with its characteristics of initially greater pain and hypertonia, benefited significantly from the efficacy of intrathecal Baclofen treatment compared with the control group, which continued to receive conventional treatment. The ICF-CY outcome measures demonstrated an inter-relationship between spasticity and weakness and disease progression over childhood to adolescence. Follow-up will be vital for effective personalized treatment, quality of life, and research. Long-term ICF-CY data collection is key to comparing treatment outcomes.