The Effects of Trunk Intervention on Gross Motor Function, Balance, and Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background and

Objectives

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder characterized by motor impairments such as spasticity and poor postural control. Among these, trunk control plays a critical role in maintaining balance and enabling functional mobility. Since spasticity is known to interfere with motor coordination and posture, evaluating its response to trunk-focused interventions may offer additional clinical insights. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of trunk-focused interventions on trunk control, gross motor function, balance, and spasticity. Materials and

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the last 10 years up to 11 April 2023. Studies targeting trunk-specific interventions in children with CP were included. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3, calculating standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale.

Results

Fifteen RCTs involving 454 children were included. Trunk control improved significantly (SMD = 3.67; 95% CI: 3.10-4.25; I2 = 0%). Gross motor function showed a small but significant improvement (SMD = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.06-0.92; I2 = 44%). Balance exhibited a large, though not statistically significant, effect (SMD = 0.90; 95% CI: -0.00 to 1.79; I2 = 81%). Subgroup analysis indicated that interventions performed more than four times per week produced a significant effect on balance (SMD = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.08-1.01). Only one study assessed spasticity and found no group difference.

Conclusions

Trunk-based interventions significantly improve trunk control and gross motor function in children with CP. While improvements in balance were inconsistent, higher-frequency interventions yielded more favorable results. Further research is warranted to clarify effects on spasticity and optimize intervention protocols for clinical application.