Effects of Dual Task Training on Balance, Activity and Participation in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Overview

Cerebral palsy is a non progressive neurodevelopmental disorder that usually effects the muscles of the patients effecting its tone, strength and eventually ability to move. Dual tasking training incorporates more than one task at a time, it can b either physical task with movement or mental tasks. Backward walking is used to challenge the proprioception. The study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of Dual task training with and without Backward walking on balance, activity and participations on children with cerebral palsy. Study will be conducted in PSRD and Rehab care. Sample will be recruited randomly and then divided into two groups control and experimental group. Control group will receive dual task training and experimental group will receive both dual task training and backward walking. This treatment would continue for 4 weeks. Patient will be assessed both at the start and end of 4 weeks. The outcome tools for assessment of balance, activity and participation will be following: Pediatric Berg Balance Scale, Time up and Go test and Participation of daily life PODCI Questionnaire. Ethical consideration will be followed and informed consent will be taken from legal guardians.

The randomized control trail includes two groups; Control and experimental group. Control group will receive Dual task training. Dual task training incorporates cognitive and motor task. motor task like waking on balance beam is combined with visual memory tasks like pointing towards an object the therapists asks, ask the patient to collect the hanging stars while different shapes are hanging above him, name the object in the picture shown to patient. This treatment will continue for 4 weeks, 4 times a week for 40 minutes. Experimental group will receive both Dual task training and Backward walking. with the activities mentioned above patient will be asked to walk backward with any obstacle firstly with complete physiotherapist assistance and then gradually with less assistance. Secondly patients will be asked to cover a distance of 15 m through the treatment room's hallway while holding a safety bar with the hand on the unaffected side. Third, without using a safety bar, the participants were urged to walk freely. Lastly, the participants tried to walk backwards at a reasonable pace while progressively increasing their distance travelled and speed. the duration of the treatment will be the same. The patients will be assessed first at the start of treatment and then at the end of 4 weeks.