Relationship Between Trunk Control and Balance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION

Trunk control is impaired in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) thus influencing their functional balance. However, there is a paucity of literature determining the relationship between trunk control and balance in children with CP.

AIM

To find the relationship between trunk control and balance by means of Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) and Paediatric Balance Scale (PBS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty four children {age range 8-14 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I-III} with spastic CP were recruited and evaluated using TCMS and PBS. The results were expressed as summary measures median (M) and Inter-Quartile Range (IQR). The correlation of TCMS and PBS were done using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The children obtained a median score of 52 out of 58 on the TCMS and 50 out of 56 on PBS. There was a significantly strong correlation with r=0.77 and p<0.01. A strong correlation (p<0.01) was seen between static, dynamic and total components of TCMS and PBS. The median scores of TCMS and PBS had a strong correlation for boys with r=0.74 and very strong correlation for girls with r=0.84. Based on the type of spastic CP, diplegics had a very strong correlation with r=0.85. While based on GMFCS levels, Level II and Level III had a very strong correlation (For level II rs=0.81 and level III rs=0.86) and weak correlation for level I (rs=0.27).

CONCLUSION

Based on gender, topography and severity of the motor impairment both trunk control and balance are impaired to a different degree in children with CP. The findings of this study showed a high positive correlation between trunk control and balance in children with spastic CP.