Cerebral Palsy in Abu Dhabi, UAE

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurological condition caused by injury or abnormal development in the brain that controls muscle movement, posture, and balance. It’s classified as a motor disability and is the most common physical impairment in children. CP is not progressive—the brain damage doesn’t worsen over time—but its symptoms can change as a child grows.

Types of CP

• Spastic CP: Most common (about 70–80%), with stiff muscles; includes hemiplegia, diplegia, and quadriplegia
• Dyskinetic (Choreo-Athetoid) CP: Involves involuntary movements and fluctuating muscle tone due to basal ganglia damage
• Ataxic CP: Characterized by balance and coordination difficulties (5–10% of cases)
• Mixed-Type CP: A combination of two or more types (e.g., spastic and ataxic features)

What Causes CP?

CP happens when the developing brain is disrupted before birth, during childbirth, or in the first few years of life. Known causes include:

• Preterm birth or low birth weight
• Oxygen deprivation at birth (hypoxia)
• Infections during pregnancy or shortly after birth
• Head injuries, stroke, or severe jaundice in infancy
• Genetic mutations in rare cases (approximately 2–25% of cases)

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Common Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

The symptoms of cerebral palsy revolve mostly around movement, muscle tone, and coordination. They may appear mild in some and more severe in others.

• Delayed Development: Many parents first notice something is different when their baby doesn’t roll over, sit, crawl, or walk at the expected age.
• Abnormal Muscle Tone: Muscles may feel either too stiff (spasticity) or too floppy (hypotonia).
• Unusual Postures: A child might favor one side of the body, cross their legs when lifted, or have awkward reflexes.
• Poor Coordination and Balance: Standing or walking might seem unstable, and simple movements can appear clumsy or shaky.
• Tremors or Involuntary Movements: In some types of CP, kids experience uncontrolled body movements.
• Difficulty with Speech and Eating: Some children struggle to speak clearly or have trouble chewing and swallowing.
• Seizures: Though not always present, some children with CP may also have epilepsy.

How Is Cerebral Palsy Diagnosed?

Diagnosing cerebral palsy isn’t always immediate. It involves watching a child’s development closely, especially if they’re at higher risk due to premature birth or complications during delivery.

• Developmental Screening: Pediatricians track a baby’s ability to hit movement and speech milestones. Any delays can prompt further evaluation.
• Neurological Exams: Doctors assess muscle tone, reflexes, coordination, and movement patterns.
• Imaging Tests: An MRI or cranial ultrasound can show damage to areas of the brain that control motor functions.
• Motor Function Assessments: Specific tools like the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) help categorize how much a child’s movement is affected.
• Early Movement Analysis: For high-risk infants, specialists may use detailed assessments of early movement patterns (such as the General Movements Assessment) to spot signs before they become obvious.

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When to Visit a Cerebral Palsy Therapist?

Cerebral palsy encompasses a range of neurological disorders and disabilities, each presenting with diverse manifestations rather than a single form. These conditions can lead to varying degrees of disability affecting movement, balance, and posture. Common challenges associated with CP include early childhood signs such as developmental delays and difficulty achieving milestones. Additional symptoms may include intellectual disability, seizures, and issues with vision, hearing, or speech.

Changes in spinal shape, like scoliosis, and joint problems such as contractures, are also commonly observed.

If your child is experiencing any of these issues, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our therapists to properly address this condition.

Cerebral palsy treatment programs at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi

Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder resulting from damage to areas of the brain. However, with comprehensive and effective management through appropriate treatment and therapies, children can lead normal lives and independently perform their daily activities.

At Reem Hospital, we are the exclusive provider in Abu Dhabi offering a cutting-edge cerebral palsy treatment program. This program includes strategies aimed at helping children acquire delayed skills and regain sensory and motor development that may have been affected.

Through intensive therapy sessions, we integrate several specialized approaches in pediatric rehabilitation:

DMI (dynamic movement integration):

DMI (dynamic movement integration) utilizes targeted exercises to enhance movement patterns and motor control by modulating the vestibular system
by integrating gravity and proprioception. At Reem Hospital, our team includes official Middle East ambassadors for this technique. The approach aims to improve automatic postural responses and assist children with motor delays in reaching developmental milestones. Harnessing the benefits of brain neuroplasticity principles facilitates the brain’s ability to develop new skills.

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NDT (neuro-development treatment):

A hands-on approach that adjusts muscle tone and structure to improve movement, focusing on individual strengths and limitations. This method uses personalized therapeutic techniques based on detailed movement analysis to enhance functional abilities.

Dynasense:

It targets sensory-based motor disorders, which involve difficulties in moving or planning movements in response to sensory stimuli. This approach utilizes structured, repetitive techniques to enhance the child’s nervous system responsiveness to sensory inputs, fostering positive behavior changes and the ability to interact with their environment effectively.

CVI (Cortical Visual Impairment):

CVI, or cortical visual impairment, occurs due to damage to the brain areas responsible for processing vision. Individuals with CVI may encounter challenges in responding to visual stimuli, recognizing faces and objects, and comprehending what they see. Rehabilitation focuses on improving visual understanding and function to address these visual processing disorders.

TASES (Task Specific Electrical Stimulation):

TASES (task-specific electrical stimulation) children actively participate in functional tasks, utilizing principles of motor learning. This method stimulates muscles and provides sensory feedback, improving movement patterns and overall function. TASES has demonstrated benefits in increasing joint flexibility and reducing muscle stiffness.

Hypervibe:

Hypervibe involves the child standing, sitting, or lying on a machine with a vibrating platform. This vibration transmits energy to the body, causing muscles to contract and relax rapidly. This helps strengthen muscles and aids in tone modulation, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

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Hippotherapy:

Hippotherapy it utilizes the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor and sensory input. This approach enhances neurological and sensory functions through the therapeutic activity of horseback riding.

Aqua Therapy:

Aqua therapy, also referred to as hydrotherapy, harnesses the therapeutic properties of water to address physical, sensory, and developmental challenges. It enables children to perform coordinated and balanced movements, promoting muscle relaxation, strengthening, and improving joint motion.

Thera Suit:

Thera Suit focuses on retraining the central nervous system to enhance muscle tone, gait, balance, strength, and bone density. It aims to improve strength, motor function learning, and coordination, while also aligning the body, enhancing posture, increasing flexibility and range of motion, normalizing muscle tone, and strengthening back muscles and the core.

Spidercage and UGEL:

Spidercage and UGEL utilize pulleys and weights for intensive strength training and functional restoration. Equipped with a belt and eight bungee cords, this device enables children to independently participate in balance and strengthening exercises. It facilitates standing and promotes proper positioning and alignment to enhance balance.

At Reem Hospital, these advanced cerebral palsy treatment methods ensure comprehensive care tailored to meet the diverse needs of each child, enhancing their functional abilities and overall well-being.

Why choose cerebral palsy program at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

Our intensive cerebral palsy treatment program at Reem Hospital is a breakthrough in pediatric care across Abu Dhabi and the UAE. As the most common childhood motor disability, cerebral palsy often presents challenges with traditional treatments. Our treatment program achieves significant improvements in just 21 days through daily interventions, focusing on enhancing independence and strength for children with cerebral palsy.
Aligned with global standards, our multidisciplinary team of doctors, radiologists, and physical therapists conducts thorough assessments. Guided by these assessments, our skilled pediatric physical therapists implement advanced rehabilitation strategies tailored to meet each child’s specific needs.

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