Brainwave and footsteps

Published February 2014

Download the full evidence summary PDF: Brainwave and Footsteps

PLEASE NOTE: This summary was produced more than 4 years ago. Information provided may be out of date. If you think it would be helpful to update this summary please contact us at pencru@exeter.ac.uk

What were we asked?

Parents asked whether there was any research that therapies provided by Brainwave and Footsteps are effective, especially as they had heard they were expensive. These are two separate services that offer therapy and advice outside of the NHS.

Key findings

  • Brainwave and Footsteps are separate organisations that provide physiotherapy based treatment programmes.
  • We are not aware of any scientific evidence of the effectiveness of either programme to improve children’s functioning
  • We think children’s lives are about more than ‘treatment and therapy’ and we advocate that sufficient time should be given to all kinds of recreational activities.

Note: This information is produced by PenCRU researchers and reviewed by external experts. The views expressed are those of PenCRU at the University of Exeter Medical School and do not represent the views of the Cerebra charity, or any other parties mentioned. We strongly recommend seeking medical advice before undertaking any treatments/therapies.