Effectiveness of Physiotherapy for Improving Participation, Gross Motor Function, Gait and Balance in Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: People with cerebral palsy (CP) present with limitations in gait and functionality, with a great impact on participation. Physiotherapy interventions based on goal-directed training (GDT), treadmill gait training (TGT), and action observation treatment (AOT) showed to be effective for im...

ver descrição completa

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Pacheco da Costa, Soraya, Rodríguez Costa, Isabel, Abuín Porras, Vanesa, Asunsolo, Ángel, Calvo Fuente, Victoria, Soto Vidal, Concepción
Formato: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Recursos:Universidad Europea (UEM)
Repositorio:ABACUS. Repositorio de Producción Científica
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:abacus.universidadeuropea.com:11268/16506
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/11268/16506
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Parálisis cerebral
Especialidad de fisioterapia
Fisiología humana
Investigación sobre el cerebro
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Descrição
Resumo:Background: People with cerebral palsy (CP) present with limitations in gait and functionality, with a great impact on participation. Physiotherapy interventions based on goal-directed training (GDT), treadmill gait training (TGT), and action observation treatment (AOT) showed to be effective for improving functionality, gait and balance in children and adolescents with CP. On the other hand, since COVID-19 lockdown, telecare has an increased role in physiotherapy interventions. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RTC) is to analyze the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention that combines face-to-face PT sessions of GDT and TGT and online PT sessions of a family-centered education program, which includes AOT activities and is effective to improve participation, gross motor function, gait and balance in children and adolescents with CP. Methods: A single-blinded RCT is proposed for 48 children and adolescents with CP (6–17 years old) who will be randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental group will receive six weeks of a multimodal PT intervention with 12 face-to-face sessions (GDT and TGT) and 6 online sessions of a family-centered telecare EP, which includes AOT activities. Participants in the control group will carry on with their regular PT treatment plus the EP as the experimental group. The outcome variables of participation (CAPE); gait speed and endurance (10 mm/6 mm); gross motor function (GMFM-88-SP); and dynamic and static balance (PBS) will be collected at baseline, after group interventions and 12 weeks from baseline and will be compared following standard principles for RCTs. Conclusions: The implementation of a multimodal PT intervention that combines face-to-face sessions of GDT and TGT and online sessions of a family-centered EP, which includes AOT activities, may be effective to improve participation, gross motor function, gait and balance in children and adolescents with CP. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT04778930.