Gross motor abnormalities in relation to balance and weight indicators in children with spastic diplegia

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, the prevalence of obesity in the cerebral palsy population has increased in the USA, ranging from 7.7 to 16.5%. Obesity is linked to health problems as well as challenges with walking and balance. The current study investigated the correlation between BMI, balance, and gross motor abnormalities in children with diplegia. This cross-sectional-correlation study was done at the Outpatient Clinic at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. The study included 104 diplegic children aged from 5 to 10 years, 53 in the normal weight group and 51 in the overweight group. Dynamic balance was evaluated by the overall stability index (OSI) in the Biodex Balance System and gross motor capacities (GMC) were evaluated by standing and walking dimensions in GMFM. On comparing outcome variables, there were significant differences among groups in BMI, GMC, and OSI (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant negative strong correlation between GMC and OSI (r = − 0.792 and P < 0.001). Overweight and obese diplegic cerebral palsy children have decreased balance and GMC significantly when compared to normal-weight children. There was also a significant correlation between GMC and OSI (r = − 0.792). The study registered in ClinicalTrial.gov in October 2024 (NCT06642922).