Short-term balance training with computer-based feedback in children with cerebral palsy: A feasibility and pilot randomized trial

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the feasibility of using short-term balance training with computer-based visual feedback (BTVF) and its effect on standing balance in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP).

Methods: Out of the fourteen children with BSCP (mean age = 10.31 years), seven children received four sessions of BTVF (two such sessions/day, each session = 15 min) in comparison to the control group that received standard care. Feasibility was measured as percentages of recruitment, retention and safety and balance was measured using a posturography machine as sway velocity (m/s) and velocity moment (m/s²) during quiet standing. Results: No serious adverse events occurred in either group. There were no differences in the retention percentages and in any clinical outcome measure between both groups. Conclusion: Use of BTVF is feasible in children with BSCP but further investigation is required to estimate a dose–effect relationship.

KEYWORDS:

• Intervention
• posture
• stability
• visual feedback

Acknowledgments

The authors express special thanks to DA Asir John Samuel, MPT, Dr Kavitha Raja, PhD, Saumen Gupta, (PhD), Shilpi Jasrotia, MPT, and Dr Nandini Dendulukiri, PhD, for their suggestions during the study.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest