The Effects of a Music and Movement Program on Gait, Balance and Psychological Parametres of Adults with Cerebral Palsy

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of a music and movement intervention program on gait, balance and psychological parameters of 10 male athletes in throwing events (ball and disc) with Cerebral Palsy (CP) (spastic hemiplegia), all coming from a sport club in Thessaloniki. Participants were divided randomly by methodical selection into two groups, the Intervention Group (IG) (n = 5) and the Control Group (CG) (n = 5). The IG participated in a music and movement program of 16 sessions (8 weeks, with a frequency of 2 times/week for 50 minutes per session), which designed on the base of the theory of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) method. Audit results showed differences on gait, balance and psychological parameters were statistically significant (p=0.05) prior and after the intervention program for the IG, but not for the CG (p>0.05). In conclusion, the application of a music and movement program designed on the base of the theory of RAS method had a positive and significant influence in motor and psychological skills.