Targeted Training for Trunk Control_case Series Cerebral Palsy

N/ACompletedNCT02097836

University of Oregon11 enrolled

Overview

If a child with cerebral palsy does not develop independent sitting balance by 4 years of age, their prognosis for walking is very poor. Surprisingly little is known about how to facilitate head control or upright sitting balance and functional mobility in the child who is not developing these skills. This is one of the first studies that will examine intermediate stages in the development of the postural control system in children with neurologic deficits. Clinical researchers at The Movement Centre in Oswestry, England have developed a method called Targeted Training in which trunk control is trained in children segment by segment using a specific training device. This study aims to examine kinematic and electromyographic changes in a case series of children who undergo a 6-month Targeted Training intervention.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Traumatic Brain Injury

Interventions

Custom training devices were imported from The Movement Centre for research purposes. The typical course of treatment involves loaning the customized equipment to each family for use in their home or in their child's educational setting. Training occurs once daily usually for 30-45 minutes. This is done 5 or 6 days per week. Training programs typically involve playing with balls or balloons or video games that motivate the child to hold the head erect and to wave the arms and hands and move the upper body.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 4 YearsMax age: 17 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * neurologic diagnosis that results in a deficit in trunk control (i.e. cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury) * age 4-17 years * Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level III, IV or V for children with cerebral palsy Exclusion Criteria: * spinal fixation * fixed scoliosis * uncontrolled seizures

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Gross Motor Function Measure

Time frame: 6 months and followup post training 12 months

Probe data, balance

timed balance task

Time frame: baseline, intervention, 2 months post intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Change in head stability

Change in alignment and stability of head postural sway during quiet sitting

Time frame: 6 months, 1,3, and 12 months post intervention

Change in muscle activation strategy during quiet sitting with different levels of external support.

Time frame: 6 months, 1 and 3 months post intervention

Change in Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)

Time frame: 6 months and 1,3, 12 months post intervention

Qualitative Parent, Teacher report

Time frame: during intervention and post intervention