Effects of Mirror Therapy on Lower Extremity in CP Children

Not Applicable

Recruiting

Brief Summary: A non-progressive condition that harms the developing brain both during and after birth is cerebral palsy (CP). It is a multifaceted syndrome marked by abnormalities in movement and posture, along with concomitant sensory-motor, cognitive, and behavioral impairments and seizures. CP can be divided into three types based on neurological classification: spastic, athetoid, and ataxic, impairments in motor skills and posture are hallmarks of cerebral palsy. Various strategies have been employed in motor skill improvement interventions. One of them, mirror-mediated treatment, works by stimulating mirror neurons in a specific region of the brain cortex. Mirror-mediated therapy involves the patient observing movement of his or her own limb reflected in a mirror, which activates mirror neurons. The application of mirror treatment improved gait capacity by elevating physical perception and balance ability. The purpose of the study will be to evaluate the effects of mirror therapy in lower limb hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Detailed Description: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate the effects of mirror therapy in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Data will be collected at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Islamabad following ethical clearance. 26 patients will be enrolled in the study based on inclusion criteria. Patients will be randomly assigned into 2 equal groups for the study. Children in the control group will receive conventional therapy for 60 minutes, while Children in the experimental group will receive 30 minutes of mirror therapy and 30 minutes of conventional therapy, for 12 weeks, 3 days every week. The primary outcome will be measured by Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity scale (SCALE), while the secondary outcome will be measured by the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). All gait parameters (stride length, step length, step width, cadence and foot angle) will be measured before and after the application of intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 27.0.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Age 6-12 years.
Motor tone of effected lower extremity is 1 to 2 according to modified Ashworth scale.
Patient with enough cognition to understand and follow instructions

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with any other neurological illness affecting their lower extremities (e.g., MS, Parkinson's, peripheral neuropathy).
Patients with prior fractures of the lower limb (ankle or foot).
Patients with other forms of musculoskeletal diseases such as severe arthritis, ankle surgery, leg length difference.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Selective Control Assessment of Lower Extremity scale (SCALE):	12 weeks	The Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) is a clinical tool used to measure motor control in individuals with cerebral palsy. In this assessment, participants perform specific isolated movements at each joint, and each joint is scored to produce a total score per limb, with a maximum of 10 points per limb. SCALE demonstrates high interrater reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.88 and 0.915. The assessment requires minimal training and takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS);	12 weeks	The Pediatric Balance Scale is an adaptation of the Berg Balance Scale, designed to evaluate functional balance skills in children. It includes 14 items, each scored from 0 (indicating lowest function) to 4 (indicating highest function), with a maximum possible score of 56 points.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method

Receive instant email notifications about changes in this clinical trial

Receive instant email notifications about changes in this clinical trial