Effectiveness of standardized approach versus usual care on physiotherapy treatment for patients submitted to alveolar bone graft: a pilot study.

Aim: To compare the acute effects of a standardized physiotherapy protocol versus a typical non-standardized physiotherapy protocol on pain and performance of patients undergoing alveolar bone graft (ABG).

Method: Sixteen patients (9 males; 12 [11-13] years) with cleft lip and palate undergoing ABG were allocated into two groups: (1) experimental group--EG (standardized physiotherapy protocol); and (2) control group--CG (typical, non-standardized physiotherapy treatment). Range of motion, muscle strength, gait speed, and pain level were assessed prior to surgical intervention (PRE), as well as on the first, second, and third post-operative days (1st, 2nd, and 3rd PO, respectively).

Results: Recovery with respect to range of motion of hip flexion was more pronounced in the EG (64.6 ± 11.0°) in comparison to the CG (48.5 ± 17.7° on the 3rd PO; p < 0.05). In addition, less pain was observed in the EG (0 [0-0.2] versus 2 [0.7-3] in the CG on the 3rd PO; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: A standardized physiotherapy protocol appears to be better than a non-standardized physiotherapy protocol for acute improvement of range of motion of hip flexion and for reducing pain in patients undergoing ABG.