Effects of Different Focuses of Attention on Walking and Balance in Children With Cerebral Palsy

NCT06170814 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Cerebral palsy and gait
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study was planned to examine the effects of different focuses (external and internal focus)of attention on functional walking and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Individuals with CP between the ages of 6-18 will be included in the research. It was planned to include 24 individuals in total, 12 individuals in each group.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Gait, Hemiplegic; Balance

Keywords

cerebral palsy; External focus; internal focus; gait and balance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Gait

  Walking function will be evaluated twice with the C-Mill Walking Training System, before and at the end of treatment (6 weeks of treatment).

  6 week

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• balance

  6 week

• Trunk control measurement scale

  6 week

• Pediatric Functional Independence Scale

  6 week

• pediatric berg balance scale

  6 week

Study Arms (2)

external odak

Exercise will be done for approximately 40 minutes, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Ramps, obstacle jumping, stairs and tracks will be built to improve walking and balance functions. During exercises, attention is directed to movement and an environmental stimulus in the external focus of attention.

Other: Exercise

internal focus

Exercise will be done for approximately 40 minutes, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Ramps, obstacle jumping, stairs, and tracks will be built to improve walking and balance functions. In internal focus during exercises, attention is directed directly to body movements.

Other: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

Exercise will be done for approximately 40 minutes, 3 days a week for 6 weeks. Ramps, obstacle jumping, stairs and tracks will be built to improve walking and balance functions. One group will be given external focus stimuli, the other group will be given internal focus stimuli.

external odak; internal focus

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Children with hemiparatic cerebral palsy between the ages of 6 and 18 will be included in the study. In order to perceive the commands during the exercise, the children participating in the study must have a level of cognitive development to be cooperative.

You may qualify if:

• Being diagnosed with spastic type cerebral palsy between the ages of 6-18
• Volunteerism of the family and individuals to participate in the study
• Being at levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Classification System
• Having the cognitive development to be cooperative

You may not qualify if:

• Having undergone any orthopedic and/or neurological surgery in the last 6 months,
• Having hearing and/or vision loss that would prevent participation in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gazi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rabia ERASLAN

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Beauchet O, Berrut G. [Gait and dual-task: definition, interest, and perspectives in the elderly]. Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2006 Sep;4(3):215-25. French.

  PMID: 16945851 RESULT

• Yamada M, Raisbeck LD, Porter JM. The Effects of Using Imagery to Elicit an External Focus of Attention. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2021 Sep;92(3):559-565. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2020.1733455. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

  PMID: 32142388 RESULT

• Bunger A, Urfer-Maurer N, Grob A. Multimethod Assessment of Attention, Executive Functions, and Motor Skills in Children With and Without ADHD: Children's Performance and Parents' Perceptions. J Atten Disord. 2021 Feb;25(4):596-606. doi: 10.1177/1087054718824985. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

  PMID: 30700232 RESULT

• Blank R, Barnett AL, Cairney J, Green D, Kirby A, Polatajko H, Rosenblum S, Smits-Engelsman B, Sugden D, Wilson P, Vincon S. International clinical practice recommendations on the definition, diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and psychosocial aspects of developmental coordination disorder. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2019 Mar;61(3):242-285. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14132. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

  PMID: 30671947 RESULT

• Zorlular R, Akinci M, Elbasan B. Effects of focus of attention on gait parameters and balance performance in children with unilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Disabil Rehabil. 2026 Feb;48(3):829-841. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2548412. Epub 2025 Aug 21.

  PMID: 40839080 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Gait Disorders, Neurologic

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 4, 2023
• First Posted: December 14, 2023
• Study Start: December 30, 2023
• Primary Completion: August 15, 2024
• Study Completion: September 15, 2024
• Last Updated: December 31, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)