Cerebral Palsy Treatment Programme
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common movement disorder in children. It happens when a baby’s brain is injured due to a lack of oxygen or blood flow, either during pregnancy, around the time of birth, or in the first months of life.
CP affects how a child moves, sits, and controls their muscles. While movement difficulties are the main feature, many children with CP also face challenges with learning, behavior, emotions, and how they sense or understand the world around them. This means that no two children with CP are exactly the same—each child’s needs and abilities can be very different.
For more than 20 years, researchers have been studying how hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) might help children with CP. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a special chamber and has shown promise in supporting brain healing and improving thinking, movement, and overall function.
Contact our expert team today to explore personalised solutions for managing cerebral palsy treatment and start your child’s journey toward a better quality of life.
The Brain & Performance Programme for Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, is a gentle and non-invasive treatment where your child breathes 100% pure oxygen in a specially designed room called an HBOT suite. Inside this room, the air pressure is higher than normal, which allows much more oxygen to enter the bloodstream. This extra oxygen helps the brain and body heal by supporting tissue repair and healing.
HBOT is widely used for medical conditions where oxygen levels in the body are low. Research has shown that a specific HBOT protocol (offered at our clinic in Dubai) in combination with specialized physiotherapy and cognitive training programs for CP rehabilitation may help offer “long-term beneficial effects” for children with cerebral palsy.
At our cerebral palsy Centre in Dubai, HBOT is part of a carefully designed program that also includes physical, occupational and cognitive therapy. We start with a thorough assessment—looking at your child’s movement, mental and functional abilities, and two different types of brain scans to understand their needs and see if HBOT is the right fit.
The Brain & Performance Programme for Cerebral Palsy Treatment
Our multidisciplinary team of experts provides comprehensive cerebral palsy therapy for children and youth. The team includes paediatricians specialized in neurodevelopmental disorders, nurses, neuropsychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and dietitians.
Physical Therapy: Utilising cutting-edge technology, we offer physical therapy that integrates virtual reality and interactive environments.
Advanced Treadmill for Gait Analysis: We employ advanced treadmills for precise gait analysis and rehabilitation, ensuring optimal outcomes for our young patients.
Occupational Therapy: Our occupational therapy services are tailored to address the unique needs of youth, promoting independence and enhancing daily life skills.
Cognitive Training: We provide innovative cognitive training programmes designed to enhance cognitive abilities and support overall brain health in youth.
Diet Optimisation: Our dedicated dietitians work closely with youth to optimise nutrition, promoting overall well-being and aiding with the rehabilitation process.
Through innovative therapies and advanced technologies, we aim to provide the best cerebral palsy treatment in the world and help children achieve their full potential.
Benefits for the Mind:
Healing injured brain tissue: HBOT supports the repair and regeneration of brain areas that were damaged, helping to restore some of the functions that were lost.
Improved blood flow: HBOT increases blood circulation to areas of the brain affected by the injury. This can unlock abilities—both physical and mental—that may have been out of reach before. Families often see progress in walking, hand coordination, memory, focus, vision, and more.
New blood vessel growth (angiogenesis): The therapy encourages the growth of tiny blood vessels in the brain, helping nourish areas that need healing.
Boosted brain flexibility (neuroplasticity): HBOT helps the brain “re-wire” itself—creating new connections and adapting in response to injury.
Nerve cell repair and growth (neurogenesis): The treatment can activate the brain’s ability to produce new nerve cells, which supports learning, movement, and recovery.
Better thinking and motor skills: Children may experience improvements in attention span, processing speed, memory, and the ability to solve problems using both their mind and body.
Brighter outlook and more independence: As children gain new skills, they often feel more confident, socially connected, and better able to participate in everyday life.
All of these changes aim toward one shared goal: helping your child reach their best possible quality of life.
Benefits for the Body:
Better movement and coordination: Many children show improved motor skills, including smoother, more controlled movements.
Less muscle tightness (spasticity): HBOT can help reduce stiffness and tension in the muscles, making everyday activities easier.
Improved muscle tone and flexibility: Children may become more comfortable and flexible, helping them participate more actively in physical therapy and play.
Stronger balance and walking (gait): Some children achieve better posture and walking ability, which supports greater independence.
More independence in daily tasks: Over time, you may see your child become more capable in day-to-day activities like feeding, washing, dressing, or moving from one position to another.
Better response to therapy: HBOT can enhance the effects of physical and occupational therapy by preparing the brain and body to learn and adapt more effectively.
Improved sleep: Many families report that their child sleeps more peacefully after HBOT, which in turn supports growth, learning, and mood.
Benefits for Cells:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) doesn’t just help with movement and thinking—it works deep within the body to repair and restore the cells that make up the brain.
Waking up “sleeping” brain cells: HBOT helps reactivate damaged brain cells that are still alive but not functioning well—this area is called the penumbra. These are the cells most likely to improve with treatment.
Stronger energy production in cells: HBOT boosts the function of mitochondria—the “power plants” inside our cells—so the brain has more energy to heal and grow.
Support for the immune system: By improving oxygen delivery, HBOT helps the immune system work more effectively, supporting overall health and recovery.
Stimulating stem cells: HBOT encourages the body’s natural stem cells—cells that can become many different types of tissue—to grow and move to areas where healing is needed.
Helping the brain repair itself: The combined effect of these cellular changes promotes regeneration, helping the brain recover from earlier injuries and form new, healthy connections.
These deep healing effects are what make HBOT such a promising part of therapy for children with brain injuries.
Our Approach to Treating Cerebral Palsy: How It Works?
At The Brain & Performance Centre – A DP World Company, we use a specialised, research-backed approach to treat children with cerebral palsy (CP). Our Brain & Performance Protocol is based on over 10 years of clinical experience and includes the world’s first randomised and controlled trial of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in children.
Our goal is to give every child the best possible chance to improve, thrive, and live more independently. Here’s what your child’s journey with us will look like:
We’ll examine your child’s medical, physical, and cognitive needs using advanced tools like gait analysis, brain MRI, and SPECT scans.
Every step is tailored to your child.
* 60 HBOT sessions, delivered 5 days a week, over three months.
* Individualised physical, occupational and cognitive training to enhance the effects of HBOT
* Weekly or biweekly follow-ups with our team of specialists to adjust and guide the program
* Special sessions for parents, designed to support and empower you along the way
In some cases, depending on your child’s age and needs, we may recommend a parent or caregiver to accompany them during HBOT sessions for comfort and support.
* A summary of your child’s improvements
* Suggestions for the next steps in therapy or care
* Guidance to help your child keep progressing at home or in school
Our program is more than just treatment—it’s a partnership with your family to help your child reach their fullest potential.
Help Your Child Thrive
Contact The Brain & Performance Centre and see if your child is eligible for the treatment.
Our Success Stories
Real results from real people. These success stories share genuine experiences of how our evidence-based programmes have helped improve their lives.
Transformative Cerebral Palsy Programme
Cerebral Palsy FAQs:
What is CP treatment vs. therapy?
Treatment is the overall plan of care for a child with CP. It may include therapies, medications and other medical interventions.
Therapy usually refers to the hands-on services like physical, occupational or speech therapy that help improve movement, daily activities, and communication. Together, treatment and therapy work hand in hand to support your child’s growth and independence.
What is the best treatment for cerebral palsy?
The best treatment depends on each child’s needs. Therapies such as physical and occupational therapy, along with medications or other treatments for muscle stiffness or seizures, can help improve movement, daily activities and learning. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to be an effective additional intervention to further improve symptoms of CP. With the right combination of therapies and medical support, children with cerebral palsy can build new skills and improve their quality of life.
As CP manifests itself uniquely in each child, it’s important to speak with a professional to determine the best course of action.
What therapies are available for children with CP? (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy)
Children with cerebral palsy may benefit from a range of therapies, depending on their individual needs. These often include:
- Physical therapy to improve movement, strength, and coordination
- Occupational therapy to build independence in daily activities like eating, dressing, and writing
- Speech and language therapy to support communication and, when needed, feeding or swallowing
- HBOT to improve neuroplasticity, improve brain cell function.
Are there innovative treatments for cerebral palsy beyond traditional physiotherapy?
The Brain & Performance Centre in Dubai offers the world’s most advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy programme. This HBOT protocol rooted in data has shown promise in managing the short- and long-term effects of CP. Upon initial evaluation and discussion of goals, this unique protocol may be included in your child’s treatment plan.
Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help with cerebral palsy?
Yes, research illustrates that patients experience “significant long-term beneficial effects” even two and eight months after HBOT treatment. Notably, HBOT has helped improve “gross motor functions”.
How does The Brain & Performance Centre approach cerebral palsy differently?
We take a holistic, science-based approach to cerebral palsy care. Our multidisciplinary team works together to create a personalised plan for each child, considering their full health profile, including physical, cognitive, occupational and nutritional needs.
By combining these therapies with innovative technology, we focus on improving movement, daily skills, and overall brain development, not just managing symptoms.
What results can parents realistically expect from treatment?
While CP cannot be cured, our treatments aim to help children build new skills that will improve their quality of life. With consistent therapy and support, your child can improve mobility, daily activity independence, communication, and cognitive skills.
Each child’s progress is unique, and our team works closely with families to set achievable goals and celebrate every step forward.
Is it too late to start treatment if my child is already older?
No, it’s never too late. Children of all ages can benefit from therapies that support movement, learning, and independence. We encourage all parents and caretakers to seek guidance and learn what their options are.
Is there hope for improvement even after traditional therapies have failed?
Yes, our CP programme was created to offer new options where traditional therapies may not have delivered the results families hoped for.
HBOT for CP Clear, Proven Research:
In 2001, a study on 111 CP children showed HBOT can improve gross motor function, speech, functional skills as well as cognitive function. Most striking improvements were noticed in attention and memory domains. These effects were 36 times larger than would be expected in any other CP rehabilitation programme.
In 2021, a meta-analysis of 25 studies including over 2,146 CP patients showed HBOT can induce significant motor, development, language, and comprehension improvements.
Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on motor function in children with cerebral palsy
Daniel J. Lacey, MD, PhD, Adrienne Stolfi, MSPH, and Louis E. Pilati, MD
- ePub
- 15 Oct 2012
Hyperbaric oxygen for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised multicentre trial. HBO-CP Research Group
Jean-Paul Collet, Michel Vanasse, Pierre Marois, Maxime Amar, Joanne Goldberg, Jean Lambert, Maryse Lassonde, Paule Hardy, Josée Fortin, Stéphane D Tremblay, David Montgomery, Jacques Lacroix, Ann Robinson, Annette Majnemer, and the HBO-CP Research Group
- ePub
- February 2001