Short-Term Effects of Vestibular Training on Gross Motor Function in Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract

Aims To review the literature on the effects of vestibular training on motor function and balance in children and youth with cerebral palsy. Methods Eight databases (MEDLINE-PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, OTSeeker, Web of Science, Scopus Database, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus.) were searched up to May 15th, 2023. Studies comparing vestibular training with other types of interventions. The DerSimonian and Laird method was employed using random effects models to calculate the pooled estimate of the effect size with confidence intervals of 95%. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to judge the certainty of the evidence for all outcomes. Results Eight studies were included comprising 226 participants with cerebral palsy. The meta-analyses demonstrated significant standardized mean differences in favor of vestibular training program compared to other technique(s) for Gross Motor Function Measure (−0.471; 95% confidence intervals: −0.919 to −0.023) and balance (−0.546; 95% confidence intervals: −0.916 to −0.176). Conclusions Vestibular training has potential benefits in the short-term as a therapeutic approach for improving gross motor function and the balance in children and youth with cerebral palsy, but further research is needed.