Impact of Swiss Ball Stabilisation Training Combined with Strength Training in a FiveYear-Old Child with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Case Report

Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy (SDCP) is a common form of cerebral palsy that predominantly affects the lower limbs, often resulting in stiffness, spasticity, and functional limitations. Conventional rehabilitation typically emphasises mobility and strengthening exercises; however, recent evidence suggests that incorporating core stabilisation strategies has been shown to enhance outcomes. This case report describes a five-year-old child with SDCP, classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level III. The child underwent a 6-week physiotherapy programme, consisting of three sessions per week that combined Swiss ball–based stabilisation training with hip and knee extensor strengthening. The primary outcome measures were the Paediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), and Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire (CP-QOL). Following intervention, the PBS improved from 25 to 32, GMFM-88 from 58% to 74%, and CP-QOL from 20 to 38, reflecting notable gains in balance, gross motor abilities, and quality of life. These findings suggest that the integration of Swiss ball stabilisation and strength training can positively influence motor performance and participation in children with SDCP. This report highlights the potential value of incorporating stabilisation techniques into paediatric rehabilitation and supports further research into their clinical applicability.