Study published in International Archives of Medicine proves that NFS can be used globally to assess the improvement in patients with cerebral palsy
Doctors at Nutech Mediworld, human embryonic stem cell therapy centre based in India, have demonstrated the effectiveness of a tool to track improvement of Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients after undergoing treatment. Reportedly, the tool tracks over 32 parameters to provide accurate assessment of the progress of the disease as compared to the existing method of screening.
The result of this new study tool, called Nutech Functional Score (NFS), developed by Dr Geeta Shroff, has been published in the International Archives of Medicine (June, 2015), an open access international medical science and clinical practice journal.
NFS can assess all known symptoms of CP that remain far from assessment using the presently used testing system called the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). These include feeding, indication, epilepsy, toilet training, drooling, mathematical skills, hearing, vision, commands, smiling, constipation, recognition/awareness, eye contact, aggression, speech, breathing difficulty, defence mechanism and swallowing. As opposed to GMFCS, NFS scoring system is not only more sensitive towards infants but can also be used to assess patients aged above 18 years.
Dr Geeta Shroff, Founder and Medical Director, Nutech Mediworld said, “Our test will help in better evaluation and monitoring of CP patients following treatment. It will also help in better disease management and course correction as it covers all the known symptoms that are important to assess patient with CP.”
GMFCS scoring system, measured in grades, poses certain limitations as it is based only on self initiated movement, especially ability to walk and stand. The distinction between first two levels of GMFCS is unclear, mainly for children below the age of two years.
“The other advantage of using NFS is that scoring is numeric which means grades can be added or subtracted, thus revealing even the slightest improvement in the patient. While NFS tells the condition of a case from bad to good, GMFCS (a single score assigned on the basis of age and motor function) classifies CP into five levels from good to bad, “added Dr Shroff.
The study was conducted on CP patients who undertook human embryonic stem cell treatment
Dr J K Bharthakur Co researcher said, “The facility has been treating patients with CP since 2000. While grading the CP patients with existing scoring system, the doctors felt it difficult to grade several parameters. This led to the development of NFS.”
CP is a non-progressive disorder that occurs as a result of the damage to the brain of a foetus and newborns. Its signs and symptoms, such as spastic muscles, poor balance and gross motor delays remain lifelong and patient is subject to life with limitations. It is estimated to affect three per 1000 live births in India.
The treatment of CP with human embryonic stem cell therapy has emerged as one of the most effective and safe solutions in recent years. This treatment has aided in reversing and helping to cure the signs and symptoms of CP.
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