The effect of core strength combined with sensory integration training on the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the influence of core strength training combined with sensory integration training and routine rehabilitation training on the walking ability of children with cerebral palsy, and to provide a basis for the selection of reasonable rehabilitation training for them. Methods: Thirty children with cerebral palsy aged 7-12 years were randomly divided into an experimental group (15) and a control group (15), with the former conducted for 8 months of core strength training and sensory integration training three times a week, and the latter conducted for the same period of conventional rehabilitation therapy training three times a week. Besides, the research respectively investigates the gross motor function measure (GMFM), parameters of gait, physiological consumption index as well as the balance and postural control of the children in the two groups before and after the training. Results: (1) The scores of GMFM-D and GMFM-E are increased in the experimental and control groups after the intervention, with the former achieving higher scores than the latter (p < 0.01); (2) All parameters of gait improved in both groups after the intervention, the experimental group showing better improvement than the control group in terms of stride length, width, left and right support phases and swing phase(p < 0.05) (3) The physiological consumption index of the experimental group was significantly lower after training (p < 0.05). (4) The COP of the experimental group was remarkably higher than that of the control group after training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Core strength combined with sensory integration training and conventional rehabilitation training can improve the motor function and walking capacity of children with spastic cerebral palsy, but the former method has a better intervention effect.