CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT05962749Updated Nov 8, 2024

The Relationship of Forward and Backward Walking with SMC, Trunk Control and Balance in Children with Cerebral Palsy

An observational study in Cerebral Palsy, Balance and Gait Disorders in Children, sponsored by Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey. Open to participants aged 6 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-11-08.

Sponsored by Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Other
Time perspective
Other
Enrollment
32
Ages
6 Years to 18 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Children aged between 6-18 years old, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and meeting the inclusion criteria, will be included in this study. All children and their parents who agree to participate in the study will be informed about the study and will be required to sign an "Informed Consent Form" indicating their voluntary participation.

To evaluate gait, the 3-Meter Backward Walking Test (3MBWT) and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) will be performed on a flat. The Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) will be used to assess selective motor control in the lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle, subtalar, and toe joints). To evaluate trunk control, the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) will be applied in a sitting position. For balance assessment, the Pediatric Balance Scale will be used to reflect activities of daily living. To assess functional independence, the Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM) will be applied. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to evaluate muscle spasticity.

Read the detailed description

Children aged between 6-18 years old, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and meeting the inclusion criteria, will be included in this study. The study will be conducted at the Özel Özgün Kardelen Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Antalya. All children and their parents who agree to participate in the study will be informed about the study and will be required to sign an "Informed Consent Form" indicating their voluntary participation.

To evaluate gait, the 3-Meter Backward Walking Test (3MBWT) and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) will be performed on a flat, obstacle-free track measuring 3 meters and 10 meters in length. The Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) will be used to assess selective motor control in the lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle, subtalar, and toe joints). To evaluate trunk control, the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) will be applied in a sitting position.

For balance assessment, the Pediatric Balance Scale, consisting of 14 items with increasing difficulty from a sitting position to standing on one leg, will be used to reflect activities of daily living. To assess functional independence, the Pediatric Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM), which includes 6 sections and 18 items, will be applied. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) will be used to evaluate muscle spasticity.

Each child will be assessed only once. Statistical analyses for the study will be conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Data distribution will be examined using the Shapiro-Wilk Test. Variables with normal distribution will be presented as mean ± standard deviation, while non-normally distributed variables will be presented as median (IQR). Categorical variables will be expressed as frequency and percentage (%). The correlation between the assessment results in the cases will be determined based on the normality of the distribution. The statistical error level will be set at p\<0.05.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Balance
  • Gait Disorders in Children

Keywords

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Backward Walking
  • Selective Motor Control
  • Trunk Control
  • Balance
03

In context

Paralysis

750 studies on the registry are indexed under Paralysis; 133 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 32 is below the median of 60 across 199 observational studies indexed under Paralysis.

Browse Paralysis studies →

Lead sponsor

Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University is the lead sponsor of 44 studies on the registry; 15 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
6 Years to 18 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

Children who apply for rehabilitation in Special Education and Rehabilitation Centers affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in the city of Antalya will be included in the study.

Inclusion criteria

  • To be diagnosed with cerebral palsy by a specialist physician
  • Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I or II
  • Children with lower extremity muscles level ≤ 2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
  • Ability to follow verbal commands
  • Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) Level ≤2
  • Complete passive range of motion in the ankle and knee joints
  • Agree to participate in the study (with parent and child consent)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Having had Botox (Botulinum toxin) or a surgical operation in the last 6 months
  • Having contractures in the ankle and knee joints that affect walking
05

Study design

Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Other
Enrollment
32 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Children With Cerebral Palsy

    Other: Assessment

Interventions

  • OtherAssessment

    3 meter backward walk test (3MBWT), 10 meter walk test (10MWT), Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremities (SCALE), Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 3 meter backward walk test (3MBWT)

    The 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT) measures the time it takes for a person to walk 3 meters backward. This test assesses balance, coordination, and leg strength, making it especially useful for individuals at risk of falling or those with neurological issues. During the test, the participant is timed while walking backward over a flat 3-meter distance. Completing the distance quickly and safely indicates good balance and backward walking ability, while taking longer may suggest potential issues with balance or motor control. This simple yet effective test is used in clinical settings to evaluate functional mobility and monitor progress over time.

    Time frame: First day

  2. 10 meter walk test (10MWT)

    The 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) measures the time it takes for a person to walk a distance of 10 meters at their comfortable walking pace. This test is widely used to assess walking speed, gait, and functional mobility, and it can be particularly beneficial for individuals with mobility impairments, including those with neurological conditions or musculoskeletal issues. During the test, the participant is timed while walking the 10-meter distance, with the time recorded starting when the participant's foot crosses the starting line and stopping when they cross the finish line. A shorter completion time indicates better walking speed and mobility, while longer times may suggest difficulties in gait or increased risk of falls. The 10MWT is a straightforward and effective tool used in clinical settings to evaluate functional mobility and track changes over time.

    Time frame: First day

Secondary outcomes

  1. Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremities (SCALE)

    While applying the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremities (SCALE), the child is asked to perform specific isolated movement patterns at the hip, knee, ankle, subtalar, and toe joints. The clinician scores the selective motor control of each joint based on the child's ability to perform isolated movements. The child receives 2 points if they can move the tested joint in isolation, 1 point if mirror movements occur, indicating impaired selectivity in the untested joint, and 0 points if no movement occurs in the tested joint or if mass-synergy patterns are present. A low score on the SCALE indicates poor selective motor control in the lower extremities.

    Time frame: First day

  2. Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS)

    The Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) is a clinical tool used to assess trunk control and sitting balance during functional activities. It consists of 15 items that evaluate a person's ability to maintain trunk stability in different positions and movements, making it particularly useful for individuals with neurological conditions, such as stroke or cerebral palsy. During the test, the participant is asked to perform various tasks, such as reaching, turning, and maintaining balance while sitting. Each item is scored, contributing to a total score, with higher scores indicating better trunk control and balance.

    Time frame: First day

  3. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

    The 'Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)' has 14 items of increasing difficulty to test functional skills related to activities of daily living from sitting to standing on one leg. Each item is scored on a five-point ordinal scale ranging from 0 to 4 points, with a maximum score level of 56. Higher scores indicate better balance.

    Time frame: First day

  4. Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

    The 'Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)' has 6 sections, namely sphincter control, self-care, communication, locomotion, social cognition and transfers. There are a total of 18 items in these sections and each item is scored from 1 to 7. Scoring is done by paying attention to whether the individual performs the specified function on time, receives help or needs an assistive device. If the desired function is performed completely with help, 1 point is given; if the individual performs it completely independently, safely and at the appropriate time, 7 points are given. Accordingly, the individual receives at least 18 points, which means that he/she is fully dependent. The maximum full score that can be obtained from the scale is 126, which means that the individual is fully independent.

    Time frame: First day

  5. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)

    The 'Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)' scores spasticity on a scale ranging from "0" to "4" according to the definition of velocity-dependent spasticity. High MAS score indicates severe spasticity.

    Time frame: First day

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
    Antalya, Alanya 07425, Turkey
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Nov 8, 2024, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05962749
Lead sponsor
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
Responsible party
Ebru Keklikci (Research Assistant, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 27, 2023
Start date
Jul 17, 2023
Primary completion
Mar 15, 2024
Completion
Mar 15, 2024
Last update
Nov 8, 2024

Study contacts

Ebru Keklikci, Res. Assist.
principal investigator · Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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