Trunk endurance and gait changes after core stability training in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Article type: Research Article

Authors: El Shemy, Samah Attia

Affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy for pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed Elzayat Street, Dokki, Giza, Egypt | Tel.: +20 01005014313; E-mail: [email protected]

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Department of Physical Therapy for pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, 7 Ahmed Elzayat Street, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. Tel.: +20 01005014313; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Weakness of trunk muscles is a common disorder in children with cerebral palsy (CP). They encounter decreased levels of endurance that can lead to diminished capacity of movement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of core stability training on the endurance of trunk muscles and gait parameters in children with hemiplegic CP. METHODS: Thirty children with hemiplegic CP aged 10 to 12 years were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number; control group (A) and study group (B). Both groups underwent the same designed physical therapy program. Moreover, group B underwent core stability training 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Endurance time of trunk muscles and gait parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the trunk endurance tests and the Biodex gait trainer respectively. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the endurance time of trunk flexors and extensors and gait parameters after treatment but only group B showed statistically significant improvement in the endurance time of lateral trunk muscles. There were post-treatment statistically significant differences between both groups in favor of group B regarding all measured variables. CONCLUSION: Addition of core stability exercises to the treatment program can effectively improve the endurance time of trunk muscles and gait in children with hemiplegic CP.

Keywords: Core stability, trunk endurance, gait, hemiplegia

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181123

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 1159-1167, 2018