NCT05094921

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial will investigate the effect of hydrotherapy (halliwick concept) on motor functions in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Minimum of 30 Spastic CP children will be recruited for this study. Children will be randomly assigned into control group who will receive conventional selected exercise treatment or study group who will receive the same conventional program in addition to underwater exercise program. Motor function will be evaluated at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. No potential harms are expected during this study.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
36

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2021

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2021

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 8, 2021

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 8, 2021

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 17, 2021

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 26, 2021

Completed
Last Updated

October 26, 2021

Status Verified

October 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

3 months

First QC Date

September 17, 2021

Last Update Submit

October 15, 2021

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change from Gross motor function measure at 3 months [ Time Frame: 3 months ]

    The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) is an observational clinical tool designed to evaluate change in gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. There are two versions of the GMFM - the original 88-item measure (GMFM-88) and the more recent 66-item GMFM (GMFM-66) The scoring system of the GMFM is a four-point scale divided into five categories (lying and rolling; sitting; crawling and kneeling; standing; walking, running).

    Baseline and after 3 months

Study Arms (2)

Group A (Halliwick method group)

EXPERIMENTAL

Under water exercise program according to halliwick concept which will be applied as three sessions per week for three successive months. Underwater exercises will be performed under the supervision of a certified aquatic therapist. This practitioner will instruct the child in proper techniques for performing exercises while ensuring child's safety by using flotation devices, body boards or float belts when necessary. Also the pool where the children will perform underwater exercises will be equipped with ramps, chair lifts, stairs, and handrails to facilitate a child's ability to access the pool.

Other: Aquatic Halliwick method

Group B (conventional physical therapy group)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Conventional selected exercise program for 60 minutes , three sessions per week for three successive months aiming to improve the motor functions of the children in form of: (1) Neuro-developmental technique, (2) Back and abdominal exercises, (3) improving postural responses, (4) Flexibility exercises, (5) Strengthening exercise (particularly knee extensors, hip abductors and the ankle dorsi-flexors muscles) and (6) Improving standing, weight transfer and shift and finally facilitation of normal walking pattern .

Procedure: Conventional physical therapy

Interventions

The Halliwick Concept is a detailed swimming programme based on the scientific principles of body mechanics and the properties of water intended to educate individuals with special needs to be water safe and to move independently in the water as much as possible (Lambeck \& Stanat 2001a).The programme consists of 10 specific progressive stages that are achieved without the use of floatation devices (Lambeck \& Stanat 2001b).

Group A (Halliwick method group)

Conventional selected exercise program for 60 minutes ,3 session per week for 3 successive months aiming to improve the motor functions of the children in form of: (1) Neuro-developmental technique, (2) Back and abdominal exercises to improve postural control and correct spinal deformities (3) improving postural responses, (4) Flexibility exercises of the soft tissue (5) Strengthening exercise (particularly knee extensors, hip abductors and the ankle dorsi-flexors muscles and (6) Improving standing, weight transfer and shift and finally facilitation of normal walking pattern .

Group B (conventional physical therapy group)

Eligibility Criteria

Age5 Years - 9 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Children from both sexes diagnosed with spastic CP according to a pediatrician
  • The degree of spasticity will be determined as grade two or less according to modified Ashworth scale
  • Their age will range from five to nine years
  • Intelligence quotient score \> 35 (no worse than moderate intellectual disability) as assessed via Wechsler test scales
  • No severe psychosocial or behavioral problems, such high aggression or risk of self-harm.

You may not qualify if:

  • Initiation of oral antispastic medication
  • botulinum toxin injections or surgery performed less than 90 days before enrollment
  • severe visual or auditory impairment
  • uncontrollable epilepsy (defined as the occurrence of seizures despite the use of at least one antiepileptic drug)
  • open wounds
  • children with a psychiatric disorder
  • cognitive disorders evaluated by the pediatric evaluation of disability inventory
  • uncontrolled epilepsy
  • active infection
  • severe cardiopulmonary disorders.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

October 6 University Hospital

Al Ḩayy Ath Thāmin, Giza Governorate, 12511, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, ChronicBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 17, 2021

First Posted

October 26, 2021

Study Start

June 1, 2021

Primary Completion

September 8, 2021

Study Completion

September 8, 2021

Last Updated

October 26, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-10

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

all of the individual participant data collected during the trial and after deidentification

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
Time Frame
6 Months after study publication
Access Criteria
Email: mohamed.magdy.pt@o6u.edu.eg

Locations