Year: 2026 | Month: April | Volume: 16 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 275-280
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260434
Impact of Functional Activity-Based Physiotherapy with NDT Approach on Motor Performance and Functional Independence in a Child with Angelman Syndrome: A Case Study
Sulbha Magar1, Pratibha Salkar2, Kinjal Makani3, Jui Dave4
1MPTh Post Graduate Second Year Student, 2Associate Professor,3Physiotherapist ,4Professor,
1,2,3,4TPCT’s Terna Physiotherapy College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sulbha Magar (PT)
ABSTRACT
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder characterized by severe developmental delay, motor incoordination, epilepsy, and distinctive behavioral features. Evidence supporting the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in AS remains limited. This case study examines the impact of a structured functional activity–based physiotherapy program incorporating Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) principles on gross motor performance and functional independence in a 10-year-old female child with AS. Outcome measures included the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Wee Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), assessed before and after a 4-week intervention. Post-intervention results demonstrated improvement in GMFM scores from 54.46% to 60.82% and enhanced WeeFIM scores, indicating gains in gross motor abilities and functional independence. The findings suggest that structured, goal-oriented physiotherapy can yield meaningful functional improvements even over a short duration in children with Angelman syndrome.
Key words: Angelman syndrome, physiotherapy, GMFM, WeeFIM, functional activity, NDT