Cuevas Medek Exercises to Improve Postural Control and Balance in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

NCT07403162 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 02330 Rimsha Waheed
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Cuevas Medek Exercises on postural control and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Children meeting the eligibility criteria will be randomly allocated into two groups receiving Cuevas Medek Exercises or conventional therapy. The outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention period to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

Conditions

Spastic Cerebral Palsy (sCP)

Keywords

Cerebral palsy; Postural balance; Postural control; Pediatric physical therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postural Control

  Changes from baseline in postural control will be assessed using the Posture and Postural Ability Scale (PPAS). The scale evaluates the child's ability to maintain posture during functional tasks and measures automatic postural responses. The PPAS consists of several domains including trunk control, limb alignment, and dynamic balance. The scoring ranges from 0 to 30, where 0 indicates no disability and 30 indicates maximum postural impairment.

  At the end of 4 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Balance

  At the end of 4 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

cuevas medek exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Children in this group will receive Cuevas Medek Exercises focusing on activation of postural responses and balance control through progressively challenging activities during the intervention period

Other: Cuevas medek exercises

Conventional therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Children in this group will receive conventional physiotherapy including stretching, strengthening, and task-oriented activities aimed at improving postural control and balance

Other: Conventional Therapy

Interventions

Cuevas medek exercises OTHER

Children will receive Cuevas Medek Exercises 3 sessions per week, at an appropriate effort level guided by the therapist, each session lasting 30 minutes, focusing on dynamic postural activation, balance reactions, and functional movement tasks

Also known as: CME

cuevas medek exercise

Conventional Therapy OTHER

Children will receive conventional physiotherapy 3 sessions per week, at moderate effort suitable for age and condition, each session 30 minutes long, including stretching, strengthening, and task-oriented activities to improve postural control and balance

Conventional therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 2 Years - 6 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
• GMFCS Level III to V
• Modified Ashworth Scale ≤ 2
• Able to follow simple commands

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cognitive impairment
• Uncontrolled epilepsy or frequent seizures
• Visual or hearing impairment limiting treatment
• History of recent orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures
• Other neurological disorders (genetic syndromes, traumatic brain injury)
• Participation in other experimental therapies during the study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tehsil Headquarter Bhalwal

Bhalwal, Punjab Province, 44011, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Related Publications (12)

• Ferreira AD, Gerzson LR, de Almeida CS, Lopes GB. Cuevas Medek exercises a neurological rehabilitation for children, the effect in developmental hip dysplasia in a patient with cerebral palsy: case study. Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria. 2023;81(S 01):A056.

  BACKGROUND

• Mitroi S. Stimulation of triple extension tone and orthostatic balance in the child with cerebral palsy through exercises specific to Medek method. Physical Education, Sport and Kinesiology Journal. 2016;1(43):48-51

  BACKGROUND

• Milne N, Neustaeter A, Thomas H, Ritter M, Macdonald K. Review Protocol: EXPLORING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CUEVAS MEDEK EXERCISES (CME) IN PAEDIATRIC POPULATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC SCOPING REVIEW. 2023

  BACKGROUND

• Yun G, Huang M, Cao J, Hu X. Selective motor control correlates with gross motor ability, functional balance and gait performance in ambulant children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Gait & posture. 2023;99:9-13

  BACKGROUND

• Adıguzel H, Elbasan B. Effects of modified pilates on trunk, postural control, gait and balance in children with cerebral palsy: a single-blinded randomized controlled study. Acta Neurologica Belgica. 2022;122(4):903-14

  BACKGROUND

• Elnaggar RK, Ramirez-Campillo R, Azab AR, Alrawaili SM, Alghadier M, Alotaibi MA, et al. Optimization of postural control, balance, and mobility in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized comparative analysis of independent and integrated effects of Pilates and Plyometrics. Children. 2024;11(2):243

  BACKGROUND

• Crenshaw JR, Petersen DA, Conner BC, Tracy JB, Pigman J, Wright HG, et al. Anteroposterior balance reactions in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2020;62(6):700-8

  BACKGROUND

• Bickley C, Linton J, Sullivan E, Mitchell K, Slota G, Barnes D. Comparison of simultaneous static standing balance data on a pressure mat and force plate in typical children and in children with cerebral palsy. Gait & posture. 2019;67:91-8.

  BACKGROUND

• Woollacott MH, Shumway-Cook A. Postural dysfunction during standing and walking in children with cerebral palsy: what are the underlying problems and what new therapies might improve balance? Neural Plast. 2005;12(2-3):211-9; discussion 263-72. doi: 10.1155/NP.2005.211.

  PMID: 16097489 BACKGROUND

• Paul S, Nahar A, Bhagawati M, Kunwar AJ. A review on recent advances of cerebral palsy. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity. 2022;2022(1):2622310.

  BACKGROUND

• Gulati S, Sondhi V. Cerebral palsy: an overview. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2018;85:1006-16.

  BACKGROUND

• Novak I, McIntyre S, Morgan C, Campbell L, Dark L, Morton N, Stumbles E, Wilson SA, Goldsmith S. A systematic review of interventions for children with cerebral palsy: state of the evidence. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013 Oct;55(10):885-910. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.12246. Epub 2013 Aug 21.

  PMID: 23962350 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Ayesha Bashir, PhD

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Imran Amjad, PhD

CONTACT

03324390125; imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study as blinding of participants and therapists is not feasible due to the nature of the physiotherapy interventions. Outcome assessments will be conducted using standardized assessment tools to reduce assessment bias.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 4, 2026
• First Posted: February 11, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2026
• Study Completion: May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)