Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Postural Control in Spastic Diplegic CP Children

Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Postural Control in Spastic Diplegic CP Children: a Randomized Control Trial

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week comprehensive core stabilization exercise program on balance, trunk control, and gross motor function in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention to determine changes following treatment.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Exercise; Other: Conventional

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Islamabad, Pakistan
    • Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
• Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels II-III
• Stable medical management for at least 3 months prior to enrollment
• Ability to understand and follow simple verbal instructions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Fixed contracture or musculoskeletal deformities limiting exercise
• Orthopedic surgery or botulinum injection within the previous 3 months
• Uncontrolled epilepsy
• Severe visual impairment
• Participation in another rehabilitation intervention during the study period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Core Stabilization Exercise Program with Conventional Therapy; Participants will receive a structured core stabilization exercise program in addition to conventional physiotherapy. The program includes progressive exercises targeting trunk muscle activation, trunk control, and postural control, tailored to each participant's functional ability. Sessions will be conducted 3 times per week for 12 weeks.	Other: Exercise; Progressive exercises targeting trunk muscle strength, stability, and postural control alongside conventional therapy; Other: Conventional; Stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, balance training, gait training, functional activities according to standard rehabilitation practice
Active Comparator: Conventional therapy; Participants will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of stretching, strengthening, balance training, gait training, and functional exercises according to standard rehabilitation practice. Sessions will be conducted 3 times per week for 12 weeks.	Other: Conventional; Stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, balance training, gait training, functional activities according to standard rehabilitation practice

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Balance	Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a 14-item performance-based scale used to assess functional balance in children. Total scores range from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance.	Baseline and post 12 weeks of intervention
Trunk Control	Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) is a clinical scale used to evaluate static and dynamic trunk control and trunk coordination in children with cerebral palsy. Total scores range from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control.	Baseline and post 12 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gross Motor Function	Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) is a standardized observational measure used to assess gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy across activities such as lying, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking. Scores range from 0 to 100%, with higher scores indicating better gross motor function.	Baseline and post 12 weeks of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 25, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): July 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 30, 2026
• Last Verified: August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Balance; Trunk control; Gross motor function
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Brain Damage, Chronic; Cerebral Palsy; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Organizations; Health Care Economics and Organizations; Exercise; Congresses as Topic
• Other Study ID Numbers: 064-26

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No