Samenvatting

The main aim of our thesis is to give an impression about the physiotherapeutic treatment of children with cerebral palsy in Zambia. Our research focused on one center in Ndola.
Our two research questions were:
1. “What kind of physiotherapeutic treatment do children with cerebral palsy receive in Zambia?”
2. “What kind of interaction can we identify between therapist and child?”
Method:
To answer our research questions, we conducted a qualitative research. We collected our data through a participant observation. We observed the treatment of two children with CP, who came for therapy regularly and were under the age of five years. We transcribed three videos per child from three different treatment sessions.
Results and Conclusion:
The physiotherapeutic treatment in Zambia consists of two parts, a functional and a constructed approach. In the treatment the child often played no active role and the treatment target was not clear. In the observations only aspects of the treatment methods were visible. The interaction between therapist and child was not as expected, but may have been colored by our own cultural background. We were not able to define “Why” certain aspects of the therapy were done. Therefore we are not able to make a judgment about the therapy.