Efficacy of task-oriented training on balance in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background and Objective: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a well-recognized group of motor and postural neurodevelopmental disorders beginning in early childhood and persisting through the life span.[1] Prevalence estimates of CP ranged from 1.5 to more than 4 per 1000 live births. This single-group interventional study was conducted to know the effectiveness of task-oriented training on balance in children with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: Patients included for the study were children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, 6–14 years of age, both male and female children, Gross Motor Functional Classification Scale levels I, II and III, Motor Assessment Scale (sitting to standing item), and Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) grade 1 and 2. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Five Times Sit to Stand Test (5STS), and Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) were used as the tools of assessment. Task consisting included sitting reach outs activities, sit to stand activity, squatting, step up, stepping on one leg, and step on a small ball. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses have been carried out in the present study, Student's t-test (two-tailed, independent) has been used for intergroup analysis, and Student's t-test (two-tailed, dependent) has been used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within each group. Duration of the study lasted for 12 months and frequency was 1 h per session, 5 days a week. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and significant improvement was observed in balance with task-oriented training with the mean improvement of 3.667 in PBS, 0.250 in 5STS, 0.25 in FRT, and 63% in MMAS. Conclusion: This study suggests that the task-oriented training is effective in improving the balance of children with cerebral palsy assessed using PBS, FRT, 5STS, and MMAS.