Burn, Burn Rehabilitation, Pediatric Burns
Conditions
Keywords
Pediatric burns, Burn rehabilitation, Balance training, Exercise therapy in children, Plyometric training
Brief summary
Children who sustain burn injuries often develop long-term physical and psychological complications that limit their ability to move, exercise, and participate in daily activities. These problems commonly include reduced balance, muscle weakness, fatigue, and impaired physical performance, which may persist for several years after injury and require prolonged rehabilitation. This study aims to investigate the effects of three different exercise-based rehabilitation programs-balance training, plyometric (jump-based) training, and a combined balance and plyometric training program-on balance and physical performance in children recovering from burn injuries. A total of 84 children aged 10 to 17 years with healed lower-limb burns will be randomly assigned to one of the three training groups. Each group will participate in supervised exercise sessions three times per week for eight weeks. Balance, muscle strength, power, and agility will be assessed before and after the training period using standardized physical performance tests. The findings of this study are expected to help identify the most effective rehabilitation approach for improving functional abilities and physical performance in pediatric burn survivors during long-term recovery.
Detailed description
Burn injuries in children are frequently associated with long-lasting impairments in balance, muscle strength, coordination, and physical performance. These limitations may persist long after wound healing due to sensory disturbances, muscle wasting, fatigue, prolonged inactivity, and reduced physical activity levels. Such functional deficits can restrict participation in daily activities and negatively influence long-term recovery, emphasizing the need for effective rehabilitation strategies. This randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial is designed to evaluate and compare the effects of three different rehabilitation training programs on balance and physical performance in pediatric burn survivors. Eighty-four children aged between 10 and 17 years with healed burn injuries affecting more than 30% of total body surface area and involving the lower extremities will be recruited. All participants will be at least one year post-injury and medically stable. Following baseline assessments, participants will be randomly allocated to one of three intervention groups: balance training, plyometric training, or combined plyometric and balance training. Each group will undergo supervised exercise sessions three times per week for a total duration of eight weeks. All training sessions will begin with a standardized warm-up to ensure consistency across groups. Outcome assessments will be conducted before and after the training period to evaluate changes in static and dynamic balance, lower-limb muscle strength, muscular power, and agility using standardized and validated physical performance tests.
Interventions
OTHERPlyometric Exercise Training Program
This intervention consists of a structured plyometric exercise program delivered over eight weeks, with three supervised sessions per week on non-consecutive days. The program focuses on lower-extremity jumping and explosive movements designed to enhance neuromuscular performance, power, and coordination. Exercises emphasize proper posture, controlled landings, minimal ground contact time, and rapid stretch-shortening cycle actions. Training intensity and complexity progressively increase throughout the intervention period. Each session begins with a standardized warm-up.
This intervention consists of an eight-week supervised balance training program conducted three times per week on non-consecutive days. The program includes progressive static and dynamic stabilization exercises aimed at improving postural control, coordination, and balance performance. Exercise difficulty is gradually increased based on participant progression to provide appropriate challenge. Each training session begins with a standardized warm-up.
OTHERCombined Plyometric and Balance Training Program
This intervention integrates balance and plyometric exercises within a single training session over an eight-week period, with three supervised sessions per week. Approximately half of each session focuses on balance exercises performed using slow, controlled movements, followed by plyometric exercises emphasizing rapid stretch-shortening cycle actions. Training progression involves gradual increases in exercise intensity, complexity, repetitions, and sets. Each session begins with a standardized warm-up. Total training volume and frequency are matched to those of the single-modality training groups.
Sponsors
Qassim University
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Participants are randomly assigned to one of three parallel intervention groups: balance training, plyometric training, or combined plyometric-balance training. Each group receives its assigned intervention independently for a period of eight weeks, with no crossover between groups. Outcomes are measured before and after the intervention period to compare changes in balance and physical performance among the three groups.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
10 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 10 to 17 years. * History of burn injury involving more than 30% of total body surface area (TBSA). * Burn injury involving the lower extremities. * At least one year has elapsed since the burn injury. * Completion of acute medical management and participation in outpatient rehabilitation programs. * Medically stable and able to participate in supervised exercise training. * Written informed consent provided by parents or legal guardians.
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of unhealed or open burn wounds. * Any neurological disorder, unrelated to burn injury. * Any musculoskeletal disorder, unrelated to burn injury. * Any orthopedic disorder that may interfere with exercise participation or outcome assessment.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Static Balance Performance (Standing Stork Test) | Baseline (pre-intervention) | Static balance will be evaluated using the Standing Stork Test. |
| Dynamic Balance Performance (Y-Balance Test Composite Score) | Baseline (pre-intervention) | Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Participants will stand on the dominant leg and reach in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) with the contralateral limb. Reach distances will be normalized to leg length, and a composite score will be calculated. The highest values obtained across three trials for each direction will be used for analysis. |
| Lower-Limb Muscle Strength (Knee Extensor and Flexor) | Baseline (Pre-Intervention) | Maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the dominant-leg knee extensors and flexors will be measured using a handheld dynamometer. Participants will perform maximal contractions lasting 3-5 seconds. The highest value from three trials will be recorded for analysis. |
| Agility Performance | Baseline (Pre-Intervention) | Agility will be assessed using the 4 × 9 m shuttle run test. |
| Lower-Limb Power - Countermovement Jump Height | Baseline (Pre-Intervention) | Lower-limb explosive power will be assessed using the countermovement jump test by centimeters Participants will perform maximal vertical jumps according to standardized procedures. |
| Lower-Limb Power - Standing Long Jump Distance | Baseline (Pre-Intervention) | Explosive lower-limb performance will be evaluated using the standing long jump. The longest distance by centimeters across three trials will be recorded. |
| Lower-Limb Power - Triple Hop Test Distance | Baseline (Pre-Intervention) | Lower-limb power will be measured by centimeters the triple hop test performed on the dominant leg. The maximum distance from three trials will be recorded. |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed