Myofascial Release Plus Physiotherapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy Post Achilles Tendon Surgery in Gaza (MFR-CP25)

NCT07148856 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MScPT_CP_MFR2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

"This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding Myofascial Release (MFR) technique to a conventional physiotherapy program for children with cerebral palsy after Achilles tendon surgery. The primary goal is to determine whether MFR can improve functional outcomes such as gross motor function and ankle range of motion, compared to physiotherapy alone. The study will be conducted in Gaza, Palestine, with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy who recently underwent Achilles tendon surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to either conventional physiotherapy or conventional physiotherapy combined with MFR, and outcomes will be assessed before and after an 8-week intervention program."

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Achilles Tendon Contracture Achilles Tendon Surgery

Keywords

Myofascial Release Physiotherapy Physical Therapy Pediatric Rehabilitation Gross Motor Function Range of Motion Gaza Strip

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88)

  Change in gross motor function measured using the GMFM-88 scale. The scale assesses motor function in children with cerebral palsy across five dimensions: lying \& rolling, sitting, crawling \& kneeling, standing, and walking/running/jumping. Higher scores indicate better motor function.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

• Ankle Range of Motion (ROM)

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Conventional Physiotherapy (CPT)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

"Participants will receive a standard conventional physiotherapy program following Achilles tendon surgery. The program includes stretching, strengthening, mobility, and functional training exercises designed to enhance recovery and improve lower limb function."

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy

Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release (CPT + MFR)

EXPERIMENTAL

"Participants will receive the same conventional physiotherapy program as the control group combined with myofascial release technique. The manual therapy will be applied to the lower limb and ankle region to improve fascial mobility, enhance soft tissue flexibility, and increase ankle range of motion."

Other: Conventional Physiotherapy; Other: Myofascial Release Technique

Interventions

Conventional Physiotherapy OTHER

A standard physiotherapy program provided after Achilles tendon surgery, including stretching, strengthening, mobility, and functional training exercises

Conventional Physiotherapy (CPT); Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release (CPT + MFR)

Myofascial Release Technique OTHER

A manual therapy technique applied to the lower limb and ankle region, aiming to release fascial restrictions, improve soft tissue flexibility, and enhance ankle range of motion.

Conventional Physiotherapy + Myofascial Release (CPT + MFR)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 2 Years - 5 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 2-5 years
• Spastic cerebral palsy diagnosis (GMFCS levels I-IV).
• Underwent Achilles tendon surgery within the past 3 months
• Medically stable and cleared to begin physiotherapy.
• Parental/guardian consent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Other neuromuscular disorders
• Severe cognitive impairments that hinder participation
• Previous MFR therapy within the last 6 months
• Participation in another rehabilitation study in the past 3 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ismail K. Al-Qudra: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre - Al-Ahli Al-Arabi Hospital, Gaza

Gaza, Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Russell DJ, Rosenbaum PL, Avery LM, Lane M. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66 & GMFM-88) User's Manual. Cambridge University Press; 2002.

  BACKGROUND

• Barnes MF. The basic science of myofascial release: morphologic change in connective tissue. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 1997;1(4):231-238.

  BACKGROUND

• Novak I, Morgan C, Fahey M, Finch-Edmondson M, Galea C, Hines A, Langdon K, Namara MM, Paton MC, Popat H, Shore B, Khamis A, Stanton E, Finemore OP, Tricks A, Te Velde A, Dark L, Morton N, Badawi N. State of the Evidence Traffic Lights 2019: Systematic Review of Interventions for Preventing and Treating Children with Cerebral Palsy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2020 Feb 21;20(2):3. doi: 10.1007/s11910-020-1022-z.

  PMID: 32086598 BACKGROUND

Related Links

• ClinicalTrials.gov

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Ismail K Al Qedra, MSc (Physiotherapy)

  Al-Azhar University - Gaza

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Musab M Al Dabbas, PhD

  Al-Azhar University - Gaza

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Ismail K Al Qedra, MSc (Physiotherapy)

CONTACT

+970595362670; esmailkamal8419@gmail.com

Musab M Al Dabbas, phd

CONTACT

+970597451222; mosab.m.aldabbas@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: "This is an open-label study; no masking of participants, care providers, investigators, or outcome assessors is implemented."
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc Candidate in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Model Details: "Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: conventional physiotherapy only or conventional physiotherapy plus myofascial release."

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 23, 2025
• First Posted: August 29, 2025
• Study Start: August 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: IPD and supporting information will be available starting 6 months after publication of the primary results and for a period of 5 years thereafter.
• Access Criteria: Access to de-identified IPD and supporting documents will be granted to qualified researchers upon reasonable request. Requests must include a methodologically sound proposal and will be reviewed by the Principal Investigator. Data will be shared via secure electronic transfer.

Locations

PA (1)