Swiss ball training to improve trunk control and balance in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Trunk control is one of the impairments in spastic hemiplegics which affects the balance in cerebral palsy children. Trunk balance is a pre-requisite for upper limb function. By improving trunk control, the balance increases, helping the child to be functionally independent. Objectives: To improve trunk control and balance in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy children by Swiss ball training. Method: Thirty subjects were included in the study after obtaining informed consent from their parents and they were separated into two groups. One group was given conventional training and the other group was given Swiss ball training for 30 minutes, 4 times weekly for 6 weeks. Gross Motor Functional Measure (GMFM-88) scale was utilized for assessment of trunk balance and Paediatric Balance Scale (PBS) for assessment of functional balance. Paired t-test was used to analyse the effect of trunk control and balance functions Results: The post-test mean values of all the variables of Swiss ball training group were significantly improved compared to those of the conventional group (p<0.005). Conclusions: The study shows that Swiss ball training improves trunk control and balance in spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy children.