Impact of sensory perceptual motor core stability exercise program on trunk control in achieving independent sitting in children with cerebral palsy – a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT | AIM: Independent sitting, essential for children's crucial functional activities and motor development, is often impaired in Bilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy (BSCP) due to neuromuscular control deficits. This double-blinded, randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a Sensory Perceptual Motor Core Stability Exercise Program (SPMCSEP) to improve independent sitting control in this population, addressing the need for novel interventions beyond conventional therapy to specifically improve independent sitting control. METHODS: Seventy-two children aged 3-7 years with BSCP were randomly assigned to either SPMCSEP plus conventional therapy (n=36) or conventional therapy alone (n=36). Both groups received 1-hour sessions, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Sitting control was assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) at baseline, 6, and 8 weeks. RESULTS: The SPMCSEP group showed statistically significant improvements in TCMS scores compared to the control group at 6 and 8 weeks (p<0.05). The intervention yielded a moderate effect size (0.52) and a substantial minimum detectable change (MDC), indicating a clinically meaningful enhancement in independent sitting control attributable to the SPMCSEP intervention. CONCLUSION: Incorporating SPMCSEP into rehabilitation programs as an adjunct to conventional therapy can significantly improve sitting control in children with BSCP, potentially supporting their continued motor development. Future studies is warranted to investigate the long-term impact of SPMCSEP on functional abilities and participation.