Cerebral PalsyPetö methodNCT07485894
Effectiveness of the Petö Method on Gross Motor Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy: a Quasi-experimental Pilot Study.
An observational study of Cerebral Palsy, run by Universidad de Almeria at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood. The Petö Method proposes a comprehensive pedagogical-therapeutic approach to improve functionality. Historically, the Petö Method (Conductive Education) has faced skepticism regarding its clinical efficacy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 9 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cerebral Palsy
- What is being tested?
- Education
- How many people
- 13 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2018to 1 Mar 2022
- How long will I take part?
- 5 Months
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 4 to 9 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Study population: The sample consisted of thirteen pediatric patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). The inclusion criteria were age between 4 and 9 years (inclusive), diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, with motor impairment of level III and IV (Gross Motor Function Classification System - GMFCS), sufficient cognitive competence to understand and execute simple commands. In addition, participants were required to have completed a three-month therapeutic rest period without any other type of prior therapy (to ensure the 'novelty' effect of the therapy and avoid contamination with other interventions). Exclusion criteria included the presence of severe sensory deficits and serious behavioral disorders that could interfere with the group dynamics of the intervention. It should be noted that epilepsy under pharmacological control was not a reason for exclusion from this study. The exclusion of a control group from this study was due to recruitment issues, as it was not possible to obtain a sample wit
Who may be able to join
- Age between 4 and 9 years (inclusive)
- Diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, with motor impairment of level III and IV (Gross Motor Function Classification System - GMFCS)
- Sufficient cognitive competence to understand and execute simple commands. - - To have completed a three-month therapeutic rest period without any other type of prior therapy (to ensure the 'novelty' effect of the therapy and avoid contamination with other interventions).
Who cannot join
- The presence of severe sensory deficits and serious behavioral disorders that could interfere with the group dynamics of the intervention.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PETÖ METHOD ON GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL PILOT STUDY.
Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood. The Petö Method proposes a comprehensive pedagogical-therapeutic approach to improve functionality. Historically, the Petö Method (Conductive Education) has faced skepticism regarding its clinical efficacy. Notable reports, such as the one by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), have previously concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its use. However, these critiques emphasized that prior studies suffered from serious methodological deficiencies and a lack of validated measurement instruments.
Our study directly addresses these gaps by implementing the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Unlike older scales, the GMFM-66 provides a valid and reliable estimate of motor behavior in children with CP, offering the sensitivity required to detect minimal yet clinically relevant changes.
In our results, the Petö Method is shown to be an effective intervention for improving gross motor function in children with significant levels of motor impairment. The observed changes are not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant, exceeding the minimal detectable change and promoting functional autonomy in activities of daily living.
- Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy
- Being tested
- Education
- Keywords
- cerebral palsy, conductive education, petö method, motor skills
- Medical subject headings
- Cerebral Palsy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
EducationOther
Also called Conductive education
This methodology is distinguished by its hybrid nature: it is not defined solely as a medical therapy, but as a comprehensive educational system. Conductive Education is implemented by the 'conductor,' a professional with three to four years of transdisciplinary training in physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, and pedagogy, working in close collaboration with other health specialists.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
GMFM 66
Four areas were distinguished: manipulation, arm mobility, leg mobility, and postural control. The GMFM-66 scale has been designed and validated in a population of children with CP aged between 5 months and 16 years. Its purpose is to assess different dimensions of gross motor skills in children with CP and to record changes over time in the characteristics or attributes of gross motor behavior.
Measured: Five months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2018
- Primary completion1 Mar 2019
- Study completion1 Mar 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cerebral PalsyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Other
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
- Target duration
- 5 Months
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de Almeria
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, SAGRARIO PÉREZ DE LA CRUZ, Universidad de Almeria
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07485894
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UALBIO2023/045
- Acronym
- Petö method
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Patient´s information is subject to the laws of the country
Publications
Bax M, Goldstein M, Rosenbaum P, Leviton A, Paneth N, Dan B, Jacobsson B, Damiano D; Executive Committee for the Definition of Cerebral Palsy. Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005 Aug;47(8):571-6. doi: 10.1017/s001216220500112x.
PubMed 16108461
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PETÖ METHOD ON GROSS MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL PILOT STUDY.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07485894
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Petö method / UALBIO2023/045
- Conditions
- Cerebral Palsy
- Keywords
- cerebral palsy, conductive education, petö method, motor skills
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 13 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de AlmeriaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability in childhood. The Petö Method proposes a comprehensive pedagogical-therapeutic approach to improve functionality. Historically, the Petö Method (Conductive Education) has faced skepticism regarding its clinical efficacy. Notable reports, such as the one by the American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM), have previously concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support its use. However, these critiques emphasized that prior studies suffered from serious methodological deficiencies and a lack of validated measurement instruments.
Our study directly addresses these gaps by implementing the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). Unlike older scales, the GMFM-66 provides a valid and reliable estimate of motor behavior in children with CP, offering the sensitivity required to detect minimal yet clinically relevant changes.
In our results, the Petö Method is shown to be an effective intervention for improving gross motor function in children with significant levels of motor impairment. The observed changes are not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant, exceeding the minimal detectable change and promoting functional autonomy in activities of daily living.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Other
- Target follow-up
- 5 Months
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 9 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- The sample consisted of thirteen pediatric patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). The inclusion criteria were age between 4 and 9 years (inclusive), diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, with motor impairment of level III and IV (Gross Motor Function Classification System - GMFCS), sufficient cognitive competence to understand and execute simple commands. In addition, participants were required to have completed a three-month therapeutic rest period without any other type of prior therapy (to ensure the 'novelty' effect of the therapy and avoid contamination with other interventions). Exclusion criteria included the presence of severe sensory deficits and serious behavioral disorders that could interfere with the group dynamics of the intervention. It should be noted that epilepsy under pharmacological control was not a reason for exclusion from this study. The exclusion of a control group from this study was due to recruitment issues, as it was not possible to obtain a sample wit
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Age between 4 and 9 years (inclusive)
- Diagnosis of spastic cerebral palsy, with motor impairment of level III and IV (Gross Motor Function Classification System - GMFCS)
- Sufficient cognitive competence to understand and execute simple commands. - - To have completed a three-month therapeutic rest period without any other type of prior therapy (to ensure the 'novelty' effect of the therapy and avoid contamination with other interventions).
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- The presence of severe sensory deficits and serious behavioral disorders that could interfere with the group dynamics of the intervention.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| EducationAlso: Conductive educationThis methodology is distinguished by its hybrid nature: it is not defined solely as a medical therapy, but as a comprehensive educational system. Conductive Education is implemented by the 'conductor,' a professional with three to four years of transdisciplinary training in physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, and pedagogy, working in close collaboration with other health specialists. | Other | – |
Primary outcome
GMFM 66
Time frame: Five months
Four areas were distinguished: manipulation, arm mobility, leg mobility, and postural control. The GMFM-66 scale has been designed and validated in a population of children with CP aged between 5 months and 16 years. Its purpose is to assess different dimensions of gross motor skills in children with CP and to record changes over time in the characteristics or attributes of gross motor behavior.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Mar 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 16108461Bax M, Goldstein M, Rosenbaum P, Leviton A, Paneth N, Dan B, Jacobsson B, Damiano D; Executive Committee for the Definition of Cerebral Palsy. Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005 Aug;47(8):571-6. doi: 10.1017/s001216220500112x.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Patient´s information is subject to the laws of the country
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Cerebral Palsy, run by Universidad de Almeria at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
GMFM 66 (time frame: Five months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07485894, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Mar 2026.