Spastic Cerebral Palsy (sCP)
Conditions
Keywords
Cerebral palsy, Postural balance, Postural control, Pediatric physical therapy
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of Cuevas Medek Exercises on postural control and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Children meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into two groups receiving Cuevas Medek Exercises or conventional therapy. The outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention period to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Detailed description
Spastic cerebral palsy is a common condition characterized by impaired postural control, poor balance, and limitations in functional movement, which affect a child's ability to maintain stability during daily activities. Conventional physiotherapy is commonly used to address these impairments through strengthening, stretching, and task-based exercises, with variable functional outcomes. Cuevas Medek Exercises is a dynamic therapeutic approach that focuses on activating automatic postural responses and balance reactions through progressively challenging activities with minimal external support. While this approach has shown potential benefits in improving motor control and postural responses, evidence comparing its effects on postural control and balance with conventional therapy in children with spastic cerebral palsy remains limited. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial is needed to compare the effects of Cuevas Medek Exercises and conventional therapy on postural control and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy, with the aim of providing evidence to support clinical decision-making in pediatric physiotherapy
Interventions
Children will receive Cuevas Medek Exercises 3 sessions per week, at an appropriate effort level guided by the therapist, each session lasting 30 minutes, focusing on dynamic postural activation, balance reactions, and functional movement tasks
OTHERConventional Therapy
Children will receive conventional physiotherapy 3 sessions per week, at moderate effort suitable for age and condition, each session 30 minutes long, including stretching, strengthening, and task-oriented activities to improve postural control and balance
Sponsors
Riphah International University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
This is an open-label study as blinding of participants and therapists is not feasible due to the nature of the physiotherapy interventions. Outcome assessments will be conducted using standardized assessment tools to reduce assessment bias.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy * GMFCS Level III to V * Modified Ashworth Scale ≤ 2 * Able to follow simple commands
Exclusion criteria
* Severe cognitive impairment * Uncontrolled epilepsy or frequent seizures * Visual or hearing impairment limiting treatment * History of recent orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures * Other neurological disorders (genetic syndromes, traumatic brain injury) * Participation in other experimental therapies during the study period
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Postural Control | At the end of 4 weeks of intervention | Changes from baseline in postural control will be assessed using the Posture and Postural Ability Scale (PPAS). The scale evaluates the child's ability to maintain posture during functional tasks and measures automatic postural responses. The PPAS consists of several domains including trunk control, limb alignment, and dynamic balance. The scoring ranges from 0 to 30, where 0 indicates no disability and 30 indicates maximum postural impairment. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Balance | At the end of 4 weeks of intervention | Changes from baseline in balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The PBS evaluates balance in sitting, standing, and during functional tasks such as reaching and turning. The scale consists of 14 items, each scored from 0 to 4, giving a total score ranging from 0 (poor balance) to 56 (excellent balance). |
Countries
Pakistan
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAyesha Bashir, PhD
Riphah International University
Outcome results
None listed