Effects of Task-Oriented Training with Deep Neck and Abdominal Muscle Activation on Gross Motor Function and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: This study examined the effects of task-oriented training combined with deep neck and abdominal muscle activation on the gross motor function and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods: Twelve children with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-IV; aged 6-18 years) were assigned randomly to either an experimental group (n = 6) or a control group (n = 6).The experimental group received 30 minutes of neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT), followed by 10 minutes of deep neck and abdominal muscle activation using a pressure biofeedback unit and 10 minutes of task-oriented training incorporating muscle activation.The control group received 30 minutes of NDT and 20 minutes of taskoriented training without deep muscle activation.Both groups trained for 50 minutes, twice per week, for six weeks.The gross motor function was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), and static and dynamic balance were evaluated using the left-right weight-bearing ratio in the seated Limit of Stability (LOS) and the seated LOS Surface Area.Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the GMFM total scores and in the walking, running, and jumping domain (p < 0.05).The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in the GMFM total scores and in the standing domain compared to the control group (p< 0.05).In balance assessments, both groups showed improvements in the static and dynamic trunk balance (p< 0.05), but the experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in the total and posterior movement areas in the dynamic balance (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Task-oriented training that incorporates deep neck and abdominal muscle activation in NDT-based interventions effectively enhances the gross motor function and trunk balance in children with CP.