Rehabilitation Intervention Is Associated With Improved Neurodevelopment and Modulation of Inflammatory Molecules in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the effects of systematic rehabilitation on both the neuropsychomotor development, and on the peripheral response from immunological and neuroplastic mediators in children with cerebral palsy. Methods This is a prospective cohort study with 90 children with cerebral palsy at 18 months of age. Sixty children received rehabilitation for 6 months, and they were compared to 30 children that were placed in the waiting list. Peripheral biomarkers and neuropsychomotor parameters were compared between the Rehab vs the Nonrehab groups at baseline and at 6 months. Results Results showed higher Bayley III scores in the Rehab group, with significant differences in inflammatory and neurotrophic biomarkers between groups. Rehabilitation was associated to decreased levels of IL-12p70, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL8 IL-8, and CXCL9/MIG and increased levels of BDNF and GDNF. Nonrehab children had stable immune molecule levels but decreased BDNF levels over time. Conclusion Rehabilitation improved neurodevelopment parameters and modulated levels of inflammatory (↓) and neurotrophic (↑) biomarkers.