Effect of postural balance training on gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic bilateral postural stability on balance control and gait parameters in children with cerebral palsy.

DESIGN

Thirty children with spastic diplegia (8-10 yrs) were included in this study. The children were randomly assigned into two groups: control group A and study group B. The children in both groups received traditional physical therapy program, 2 hrs per day for group A and 1.5 hrs followed by 30 mins of dynamic postural stability training program using the Biodex Stability System for group B. The treatment frequency was three sessions per week for 8 consecutive weeks on two stability levels (7 and 8). The participating children received pretreatment and posttreatment assessments using the Biodex Stability System to evaluate the stability indices (anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall) at the two stability levels (7 and 8) and three-dimensional motion analysis system (pro-reflex system) to evaluate the spatiotemporal parameters including step length, velocity, cycle time, stance, and swing phase percentage.

RESULTS

The children in both groups showed significant improvements in the mean values of all measured variables after treatment indexed by a significant reduction in stability indices and improvement in gait parameters. The results also showed significant differences in all measured parameters in favor of group B, when compared with those in group A (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Balance training on the Biodex Stability System could be a useful tool in conjunction with traditional physical therapy program for improving balance control and gait functions in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.