Targeted Training for Trunk Control_case Series Cerebral Palsy (CP_TT)

Segmental Training for Trunk Control a Pilot Study for Children With Moderate to Severe Motor Impairment.

If a child with cerebral palsy does not develop independent sitting balance by 4 years of age, their prognosis for walking is very poor. Surprisingly little is known about how to facilitate head control or upright sitting balance and functional mobility in the child who is not developing these skills. This is one of the first studies that will examine intermediate stages in the development of the postural control system in children with neurologic deficits. Clinical researchers at The Movement Centre in Oswestry, England have developed a method called Targeted Training in which trunk control is trained in children segment by segment using a specific training device. This study aims to examine kinematic and electromyographic changes in a case series of children who undergo a 6-month Targeted Training intervention.

Gross Motor Function Measure Outcome was masked for temporal order and video scored by reviewers who were not involved in data collections or intervention.

Custom training devices were imported from The Movement Centre for research purposes. The typical course of treatment involves loaning the customized equipment to each family for use in their home or in their child's educational setting. Training occurs once daily usually for 30-45 minutes. This is done 5 or 6 days per week. Training programs typically involve playing with balls or balloons or video games that motivate the child to hold the head erect and to wave the arms and hands and move the upper body.

Inclusion Criteria: neurologic diagnosis that results in a deficit in trunk control (i.e. cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury) age 4-17 years Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level III, IV or V for children with cerebral palsy Exclusion Criteria: spinal fixation fixed scoliosis uncontrolled seizures