Clinical trial NCT06989034: Sensory Processing, Postural Stability, and Selective Motor Control in Children With Hemiplegia
Official title: Sensory Processing Abilities in Relation to Postural Stability and Selective Motor Control in Children With Hemiplegia.
Study type: OBSERVATIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Conditions: Cerebral Palsy, Hemiplegic
Sensory Processing Disorder
Postural Balance
Motor Skills Disorders
Keywords: sensory processing abilities
Postural stability
selective voluntary motor control
unilateral cerebral palsy
child sensory profile 2
Lead sponsor: Cairo University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-25
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 6
Maximum age (years): 10
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Observational model: CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL
Sampling method: NON_PROBABILITY_SAMPLE
Study population: The study population divided into two groups. The first group includes 30 children diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP), a condition characterized by motor impairments affecting one side of the body due to early brain damage. These children are recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.

The second group includes 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing children (TDC) who have no known neurological, orthopedic, or sensory processing disorders. These children are selected from mainstream schools in Luxor Governorate and are expected to exhibit typical development in sensory processing, motor control, and postural stability.

The children in the CP group are part of a clinical setting with prior diagnoses and care, while the TDC group is sourced from an educational setting. The study aims to compare sensory processing abilities, postural stability, and selective motor control

Brief summary: The goal of this observational case-control study is to examine the relationship between sensory processing abilities, postural stability, and selective motor control (SMC) in children aged 6-10 years with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The study compares outcomes in children with hemiplegic CP to age-matched typically developing children (TDC). It aims to determine how differences in sensory processing may relate to motor control and balance deficits in this population.

Detailed description: This study investigated the associations between sensory processing abilities, postural stability, and selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) in children diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP), and compared these findings to age-matched typically developing children (TDC). Thirty children with hemiplegic CP and thirty TDC aged 6-10 years were recruited based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Children with CP were selected from the outpatient clinic at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University.

The study used validated clinical tools: the Child Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) to assess sensory processing abilities across multiple sensory systems and behavioral domains; the HUMAC balance system to evaluate postural stability through modified clinical tests of sensory integration, center of pressure testing, and limits of stability assessments; the Test of Arm Selective Control (TASC) and the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) to evaluate upper and lower limb SVMC, respectively.

All participants were assessed in a controlled clinical setting, and statistical comparisons were made between the two groups. The study also examined the correlations between sensory profile data and motor/postural outcomes. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all caregivers. The results are intended to provide insights into the interaction between sensory processing and motor control deficits in children with hemiplegia and to support clinicians in tailoring interventions based on sensory-motor integration profiles.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy
* Age between 6 and 10 years
* GMFCS levels I or II
* Modified Ashworth Scale score of 1 or 1+ (mild spasticity)
* Ability to follow simple instructions
* Caregiver with sufficient English language proficiency

Exclusion Criteria:

* Botulinum toxin injections within the past 6 months
* Visual or auditory impairments
* Orthopedic or neurosurgical intervention to limbs or spine
* Musculoskeletal deformities
* History of seizures

Primary outcomes:
measure: ensory Profile 2 (SP2) Total and Subscale Scores
timeFrame: Single assessment session (within a 1-day visit)
measure: HUMAC Balance Scores (COP, LOS, mCTSIB)
timeFrame: Single assessment session (within a 1-day visit)
measure: TASC and SCALE Scores
timeFrame: Single assessment session (within a 1-day visit)
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Giza
country: Egypt
facility: outpatient clinic, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University
state: Cairo Governorate
Study officials:
References: