The effect of core and balance exercises on gait, balance and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy: A comparative study

Considering the importance of walking and balance functions in improving the quality of life and achieving independence in children with cerebral palsy (CP), this study aimed to investigate whether core stabilization exercises (CSE) specifically designed for children with CP have an effect on both improving balance and walking functions as well as quality of life, and to investigate whether this approach is superior to neurodevelopmental treatment (NGT) alone or balance exercises (BE)+NGT. The children with CP included in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups according to age, CP type and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) using the block randomization method. NGT+CSE was given to the group 1 study group (n=12, mean age 11.17±3.38 years), NGT+BE was given to the group 2 study group (n=12, 10.83±4.09 years) and the control group was applied only NGT (n=12, mean age 12.83±3.94 years). Physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs were applied 3 days a week for 8 weeks, a total of 24 sessions of 60 minutes for each group equally. The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), SportKat 550® device, the Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) were used to evaluate the participants. In all groups, balance, trunk control, gait and quality of life parameters improved compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). Greater improvement rates were recorded in the NGT+CSE study group in all parameters, especially in dynamic balance, compared to the NGT+BE study group and the NGT control group. It was concluded that all treatment methods applied in the study were effective in improving balance, trunk control, gait and quality of life in children with CP, and that the holistic approach was effective in relation to the NGT+CSE program providing more effective results in terms of development rates.