Impact of task-oriented training on balance in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsied children

Abstract

Introduction. A large majority of hemiplegic cerebral palsy children demonstrate poor balance, which leads to poor gait and impaired reaching movements as the maintenance of stability is critical to all movements. Various approaches and strategies are used to improve balance; task-oriented training is one of them. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of task-oriented training on balance in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsied children. Methods. Overall, 30 spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups (control and study group). The control group received a selected therapeutic exercise program for 90 min. The study group received the same program for 60 min and task-oriented training for 30 min. The total treatment provided for both groups was 90 min/day, 3 days/week for 4 successive months. Baseline and post-treatment assessment of each child with regard to overall, anteroposterior, and mediolateral stability indices was performed by using the Biodex Balance System. Results. Children in both groups showed significant improvements in post-treatment mean values of all measured variables when compared with the pre-treatment mean values (p < 0.05). Significant improvement was observed in favour of the study group when comparing the post-treatment mean values of both groups. Conclusions. Task-oriented training is a useful tool that can be applied in improving balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.