Objective      To determine the therapeutic effects of sandplay therapy to solve psychological problems in cerebral palsy children.       Methods      A randomized control study was implemented in our center during September 2010 to January 2011. Children with mental retardation were excluded through Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT)

and finally 20 identified cerebral palsy patients at age of 3 to 5 were enrolled in this study. These children were randomly divided into the experimental group (

n

=10) and the control group (

n

=10). Another 20 matched normal children served as normal control. The experimental group underwent a 12-week sandplay treatment and simultaneously accepted the routine rehabilitation training. While the control group only accepted the routine rehabilitation treatment. The comparison and assessment of the treatment effects were carried out before and after the trial respectively. The Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) was used as a measurement tool during the process. The semi-structured interview for their parents was also conducted separately before and after treatment.       Results      After the sandplay treatment

children’s behavioral problems

learning problems

impulsivity and hyperactivity

anxiety

and hyperactivity index scores in the experimental group were obviously lower than before the treatment (

P

<

0.05). In the experimental group

the behavioral problems

learning problems

impulsivity and hyperactivity

anxiety

and hyperactivity index scores were obviously lower than in the control group after the treatment (

P

<

0.05). The comparisons of the semi-structured interviews for parents were significantly improved in the experimental group.       Conclusion      Sandplay therapy effectively solve the psychological problems in the cerebral palsy children

exerting positive effects for psychological rehabilitation of cerebral palsy children.