An interventional study of Sensory-Motor Integration-Based Exercise Program and Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program in Cerebral Palsy, sponsored by Yeditepe University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 6 Years to 12 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-23.
Sponsored by Yeditepe University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study aims to compare the clinical effects of a sensory-motor integration-based exercise program and a virtual reality-based exercise program on gross motor function, balance, and functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will continue to receive standard conventional physiotherapy. In addition, one group will receive a structured sensory-motor integration-based exercise program, while the other group will receive a Nintendo Wii Sports-based virtual reality exercise program. The intervention period will last 16 weeks, with two sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using standardized clinical measures.
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive neurodevelopmental condition characterized by permanent impairments in movement, posture, and motor function. Children with cerebral palsy may experience limitations in postural control, balance, motor planning, sensory processing, functional mobility, and participation in physical activity. Conventional physiotherapy is widely used in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy and commonly includes tone regulation, stretching, strengthening, balance training, aerobic exercises, and functional activity training. However, additional rehabilitation approaches may be needed to support multidimensional motor and functional outcomes.
This study is designed as a two-arm, randomized controlled, parallel-group, prospective clinical intervention study. The aim is to compare the effects of two adjunctive rehabilitation approaches added to standard conventional physiotherapy: a Sensory-Motor Integration-Based Exercise Program and a Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program using Nintendo Wii Sports.
Eligible children with cerebral palsy will be enrolled after obtaining informed consent from their legal guardians. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups using a computer-based simple randomization method.
Participants in the first group will receive standard conventional physiotherapy in addition to a structured Sensory-Motor Integration-Based Exercise Program. This program is designed to target postural control, balance, body awareness, motor planning, sensory processing, and functional movement organization through tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensory inputs.
Participants in the second group will receive standard conventional physiotherapy in addition to a Nintendo Wii Sports-based Virtual Reality Exercise Program. This program will provide visual and auditory feedback in a game-based environment and will aim to increase motivation, task-oriented movement repetition, balance, and functional motor performance.
The intervention period will last 16 weeks, with two sessions per week for both groups. All participants will be evaluated at baseline before the intervention and after completion of the 16-week intervention period. The primary outcome measures will include the Gross Motor Function Measure dimensions D and E, the Pediatric Balance Scale, and the Timed Up and Go Test. Secondary outcome measures will include ABILHAND-Kids, hand grip strength measured with a dynamometer, and the Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale for Children.
The study is expected to provide clinical evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of sensory-motor integration-based exercises and virtual reality-based exercises as adjunctive interventions to conventional physiotherapy in children with cerebral palsy.
1,936 studies on the registry are indexed under Cerebral Palsy; 458 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 8 is below the median of 34 across 1,431 interventional studies indexed under Cerebral Palsy.
Browse Cerebral Palsy studies →Yeditepe University is the lead sponsor of 131 studies on the registry; 29 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this group will receive standard conventional physiotherapy in addition to a structured Sensory-Motor Integration-Based Exercise Program. The program will target postural control, balance, body awareness, motor planning, sensory processing, and functional movement organization through tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensory inputs. The intervention will be delivered for 16 weeks, two sessions per week.
Behavioral: Sensory-Motor Integration-Based Exercise Program
Participants in this group will receive standard conventional physiotherapy in addition to a Nintendo Wii Sports-based Virtual Reality Exercise Program. The program will provide visual and auditory feedback in a game-based environment and will aim to improve motivation, task-oriented movement repetition, balance, and functional motor performance. The intervention will be delivered for 16 weeks, two sessions per week.
Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program
A structured sensory-motor integration-based exercise program targeting postural control, balance, motor planning, sensory processing, body awareness, and functional movement organization through tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensory inputs. The program will be administered in addition to standard conventional physiotherapy.
Also known as: SMIBEP
A Nintendo Wii Sports-based virtual reality exercise program using visual and auditory feedback in a game-based environment to support motivation, task-oriented movement repetition, balance, and functional motor performance. The program will be administered in addition to standard conventional physiotherapy.
Also known as: VRBEP
Change in Gross Motor Function Measure Dimensions D and E Score
Gross motor function will be assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure, dimensions D and E. The assessment will evaluate standing, walking, running, and jumping-related gross motor abilities in children with cerebral palsy.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Change in Pediatric Balance Scale Score
Functional balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale. Higher scores indicate better functional balance performance.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Change in Timed Up and Go Test Performance
Functional mobility and dynamic balance will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test. The time required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down will be recorded in seconds. Shorter completion time indicates better functional mobility.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Change in ABILHAND-Kids Score
Upper extremity and hand function in daily activities will be assessed using the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire completed with parent or caregiver report.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Change in Hand Grip Strength
Hand grip strength will be measured using a calibrated hand dynamometer according to a standardized testing position. Measurements will be performed for each hand, and the highest value will be used for analysis.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Change in Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale for Children Score
Physical activity self-efficacy will be assessed using the Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale for Children to evaluate children's perceived confidence and ability to participate in physical activity.
Time frame: Baseline and week 17
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared due to the small sample size, pediatric population, and privacy considerations. De-identified aggregate results may be reported in scientific publications or presentations.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.