Correlation of Vestibulo-ocular reflex and Pre-frontal cortex connectivity with Motor skills and Functional performance in children with Cerebral palsy

This observational cross- sectional study is carried out in children aged 5 to 12 years with cerebral palsy and typically developing children. The study includes two groups consisting of children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy n - 26 and age matched typically developing children n -26 who serve as the comparator group. The study is non- interventional, and no therapeutic or experimental procedures are provided to any participant.

Following informed consent from parents children meeting the inclusion criteria are enrolled in the study and undergo assessment at a single time point. Prefrontal cortex connectivity is assessed using electroencephalography during resting state recording. Vestibulo - ocular reflex function is assessed using electrooculography in combination with a gyroscope to record eye movements and head motion during controlled horizontal and vertical head movement tasks.

Motor skills are assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure 66 and functional performance is assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. Correlation analysis is performed between prefrontal cortex connectivity and motor skills and functional performance scales, and another correlation is made between vestibulo- ocular reflex function and motor skills and functional performance scales within each group. The correlation findings obtained from both groups are then compared. All assessments are non-invasive and completed in a single session.

It is hypothesized that vestibulo- ocular reflex function and prefrontal cortex connectivity are significantly correlated with motor skills and functional performance in children with cerebral palsy.