Comparison Between AOT and Functional Training on Balance, Mobility and Cognition in Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

The aim of the study is to find out the effects of Action observation therapy as compared to the traditional physiotherapy in diplegic spastic cerebral palsy patients. We will check the effects on balance mobility and cognition of patients.

A study conducted in 2020 on diplegic CP patients. The action observation training group repeatedly practiced the action with their motor skills, while the control group practiced conventional physical therapy. Results suggest that action observation training is both feasible and beneficial for improving spasticity, gross motor function, and balance in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

One of the researcher evaluated the evidence of using Action Observation Therapy in the rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy. It was Systematic review with meta-analysis. No evidence of benefit had been found to draw a firm conclusion regarding the effectiveness of action observation therapy in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy due to limitations in methodological quality and variations between studies.

Some also, investigated the effects of VR-based intervention by means of active videogame on self-concept, balance, motor performance and adaptive success in children with CP. They concluded that VR-based intervention might interfere with the way children with CP perceive themselves, apart from improve their balance, motor performance and adaptive success. Thus VR-based intervention is a potential tool to assist rehabilitation professionals to improve these aspects of children's health condition.

Similarly, A study concluded that Action observation therapy is beneficial in rehabilitation of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. A study concluded that action observation along with gait training provides greater benefits for gait and cognitive performance in elderly with MCI. According to a scientist action observation therapy is effective and feasible for functional mobility in rehabilitation processes. A researcher in his study action observation therapy is more effective in improving upper limb movements and functions.

There are various studies on movement observation training but most of them are related to restoring the upper limb function of stroke and cerebral palsy patients, and studies on the mobility, cognition, and balance in cerebral palsy for movement observation training are sparse so this study will contribute in examining improvements in rehabilitation of children with diplegic cerebral palsy by demonstrating the effects of action observation training and conventional therapy for the treatment of mobility, cognition, and balance.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed Diaplegic Spastic CP between the age of 5 to 11 years.
* Able to follow the researcher's instruction.
* GMFCS (gross motor function classification system) level I-III
* Children with a modified ashworth scale (MAS) of ≤ 3.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to walk
* Children with severe co-morbidities like musculoskeletal deformities, spina bifida and other types of Cerebral Palsy.
* With visual impairment and visual field defects