Trunk endurance and gait changes after core stability training in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Weakness of trunk muscles is a common disorder in children with cerebral palsy (CP). They encounter decreased levels of endurance that can lead to diminished capacity of movement. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of core stability training on the endurance of trunk muscles and gait parameters in children with hemiplegic CP. METHODS: Thirty children with hemiplegic CP aged 10 to 12 years were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number; control group (A) and study group (B). Both groups underwent the same designed physical therapy program. Moreover, group B underwent core stability training 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Endurance time of trunk muscles and gait parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the trunk endurance tests and the Biodex gait trainer respectively. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in the endurance time of trunk flexors and extensors and gait parameters after treatment but only group B showed statistically significant improvement in the endurance time of lateral trunk muscles. There were post-treatment statistically significant differences between both groups in favor of group B regarding all measured variables. CONCLUSION: Addition of core stability exercises to the treatment program can effectively improve the endurance time of trunk muscles and gait in children with hemiplegic CP.