Core Stability in Ataxic Cerebral Palsied Children
Condition: Ataxic Cerebral Palsied Children; Core Stability; Balance and Coordination; Severity of the Ataxia
MeSH terms: Ataxia; Paralysis
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Forty children with cerebellar ataxia ranged in age from five to nine years old, they were
      randomly assigned into two matched control and study groups. The control groups received the
      selected physical therapy program three times weekly one hour per session while the study
      group received core stability training for 30 minutes in addition to the selected physical
      therapy program. Both groups were evaluated by SARA Scale for the Assessment and Rating of
      Ataxia, Balance Error Scoring Systems scale, Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor Proficiency
      2ed subtest 4 (bilateral coordination), and subtest 7 (upper limb coordination), and HUMAC
      Balance System before and after two months of intervention.
    

Detailed description: 
      Forty ataxic cerebral palsied children were selected from private pediatric physical therapy
      centers, their ages ranged from five to nine years old. They were simply randomly assigned
      into two matched control and study group via an electronic program (SPSS) as illustrated in
      figure (1). The selected children had level IV according to the gross motor function
      classification system and their ataxia severity score was less than 25 according to the scale
      for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). Children have excluded it they had visual
      impairment, spasticity, uncontrolled convulsions, any other neuromuscular diseases,
      ataxia-telangiectasia, spinocerebellar ataxia, and Joubert syndrome.

      Measures

        1. Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA): it is a clinical scale that
           assesses a range of different impairments in cerebellar ataxia. The scale is made up of
           8 items related to gait, stance, sitting, speech, finger-chase test, nose-finger test,
           fast alternating movements, and heel-shin test [22].

        2. Balance Error Scoring Systems scale (BESS): This tool assesses postural control in
           stable surfaces the tests performed on the ground and foam block. It composes of six
           items performed with eyes closed taking 20 Sc each [23].

        3. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2ed (BOT-2): It is a standardized,
           norm-referenced measure used by physical therapists and occupational therapists in the
           clinic and school practice settings. It is an individually administered test that
           delivers a most precise measure of motor skills, both gross and fine, of children and
           youth, 4 through 21 years of age [24].

        4. HUMAC Balance System: Developed by Computer Sports Medicine, Inc. (CSMi), The HUMAC
           Balance System is a high-quality computerized balance system. It is a static force plate
           (Force Plate Mode) that measures Center of Pressure (COP) and Force [25].

      1- Procedures for evaluation Both groups were evaluated before and after two months of
      intervention by the SARA Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, Balance Error Scoring
      Systems scale, Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor Proficiency 2ed subtest 4 (bilateral
      coordination) and subtest 7 (upper limb coordination), and HUMAC Balance System.

      2- Procedure for intervention The Control group received the selected physical therapy
      program for one hour, three times weekly for two successive months including facilitation of
      balance and protective reactions from kneeling, half kneeling and standing position, standing
      alone on balance board, standing on one leg, open gait training alone (walking on the balance
      beam, walking on the stepper and walking on wedges), training stair climbing, and
      strengthening of the back and abdominal muscles.

      The study group received the selected physical therapy program for one hour, three times
      weekly in addition to core stability training program for 30 minutes [26]. The core stability
      training program.

      illustration of core stability program. Supine abdominal draw in 10- 15 times Abdominal draw
      in with double knee to chest 10- 15 times Trunk twist while sitting on medical ball 10- 15
      times Lying supine on the medical ball and rotating the trunk to the sides 10- 15 times
      Contracting abdominal muscles while lying in a supine position and pulling the limbs upward
      with arms and legs kept close 10- 15 times Bringing up the arms and legs simultaneously in
      the prone position 10- 15 times Bridging with head on medical ball hold this position for 3-5
      s then slowly relaxes 10- 15 times Bridging while shoulders and hands are on the floor and
      one leg is raised 10- 15 times Lying supine on the medical ball and holding the abdomen in
      and bringing with one leg up 10- 15 times
    

Intervention name(s): core stability training
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): core stability training program for 30 minutes including Supine abdominal draw in Abdominal draw in with double knee to chest Trunk twist while sitting on medical ball Lying supine on the medical ball and rotating the trunk to the sides Contracting abdominal muscles while lying in a supine position and pulling the limbs upward with arms and legs kept close Bringing up the arms and legs simultaneously in the prone position Bridging with head on medical ball hold this position for 3-5 s then slowly relaxes Bridging while shoulders and hands are on the floor and one leg is raised Lying supine on the medical ball and holding the abdomen in and bringing with one leg up
Other intervention name(s): selected physical therapy program
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Intervention model description: pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial
Masking: Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Ataxia; humac balance sysytem; balance; coordination