Spinal Mobility in Children With Cerebral Palsy: NDT-Bobath and Exergaming

NCT07421505 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: WroclawUHSS Ethics (34/2025)
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in spinal mobility in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions in children with cerebral palsy aged 10-15 years. The study will compare outcomes between standard NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming in a sitting position and exergaming in a standing position. Postural stability, body composition, and functional parameters will also be assessed. Participants will complete a socio-medical questionnaire and undergo baseline measurements of spinal mobility, cervical range of motion, postural stability (using Podoscan and Zebris platform), body height, and body composition (using SECA stadiometer and Tanita bioimpedance analyzer). The intervention will last 3 months and include twice-weekly 60-minute therapy sessions. Group I will receive NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming in a sitting position, while Group II will receive NDT-Bobath therapy with exergaming in a standing position. After the intervention, participants will undergo post-intervention measurements and a follow-up evaluation three months later to assess the persistence of any changes.

Conditions

Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy; Spastic Hemiplegia

Keywords

Cerebral palsy; Spinal mobility; NDT-Bobath therapy; Exergaming

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Cervical Spine Mobility

  Change in active cervical spine range of motion in children with cerebral palsy aged 10-15 years, measured in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes using the CROM device. Cervical flexion/extension, lateral flexion, and rotation are expressed in degrees.

  Baseline, post-intervention (3 months), follow-up (6 months)

• Thoracic Spine Mobility

  Change in thoracic spine mobility measured as active range of motion and trunk rotation using the MyoMotion system. Measurements are expressed in degrees and reflect thoracic flexion/extension, lateral flexion, and rotational movements.

  Baseline, post-intervention (3 months), follow-up (6 months)

• Lumbar Spine Mobility

  Change in lumbar spine mobility measured as active range of motion using the MyoMotion system. Lumbar flexion/extension, lateral flexion, and rotation are expressed in degrees.

  Baseline, post-intervention (3 months), follow-up (6 months)

Study Arms (2)

NDT-Bobath + Sitting Exergaming

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive standard NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming performed in a seated position. Therapy sessions will last 60 minutes, twice weekly, for 3 months. The NDT-Bobath component focuses on: Normalizing muscle tone in the pelvic and shoulder girdle Enhancing central trunk stability, including trunk rotation Promoting symmetrical posture and controlled movement according to NDT principles (facilitation, stimulation, communication) The exergaming component will be performed while seated on a chair with adjustable height to achieve 90° flexion at hips, knees, and ankles. Exercises will engage three-dimensional trunk and limb movements, be visually engaging, and allow personalization according to each child's functional level. Exercises are safe, non-impact, and synchronized with the MyoMotion system for monitoring.

Other: NDT-Bobath Therapy; Other: Sitting Exergaming

NDT-Bobath + Standing Exergaming

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive standard NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming performed in a standing position. Therapy sessions will last 60 minutes, twice weekly, for 3 months. The NDT-Bobath component focuses on: Normalizing muscle tone in the pelvic and shoulder girdle Enhancing central trunk stability, including trunk rotation Promoting symmetrical posture and controlled movement according to NDT principles (facilitation, stimulation, communication) The exergaming component will be performed in a standing position, promoting weight-bearing and functional trunk and limb control. Exercises engage three-dimensional movements, are visually appealing, and personalized according to the child's functional abilities. Exercise intensity is safe and designed to prevent injury, with position adjustments between exercises as needed. Exercises are synchronized with the MyoMotion system for real-time monitoring.

Other: NDT-Bobath Therapy; Other: Standing Exergaming

Interventions

NDT-Bobath Therapy OTHER

Standard NDT-Bobath neurodevelopmental therapy focusing on normalization of muscle tone in the pelvic and shoulder girdle, enhancement of central trunk stability including rotational control, and promotion of symmetrical posture and controlled movements according to NDT principles (facilitation, stimulation, communication). Dosage - 60-minute sessions, twice weekly, for 3 months.

Also known as: Neurodevelopmental Treatment (Bobath Concept)

NDT-Bobath + Sitting Exergaming; NDT-Bobath + Standing Exergaming

Sitting Exergaming OTHER

Exergaming performed in a seated position using Kinect Therapy-Based Exergames. Participants sit on an adjustable chair with hips, knees, and ankles flexed at 90°. Exercises involve safe, non-impact, visually engaging three-dimensional trunk and limb movements, personalized to the child's functional level. Movements are synchronized with the MyoMotion system for monitoring. Dosage - 60-minute sessions, twice weekly, for 3 months (as part of combined therapy).

Also known as: Seated Exergaming

NDT-Bobath + Sitting Exergaming

Standing Exergaming OTHER

Exergaming performed in a standing position using Kinect Therapy-Based Exergames, promoting weight-bearing and functional trunk and limb control. Exercises involve safe, visually engaging three-dimensional movements, personalized to the child's functional abilities. Movements are synchronized with the MyoMotion system for real-time monitoring. Dosage - 60-minute sessions, twice weekly, for 3 months (as part of combined therapy).

NDT-Bobath + Standing Exergaming

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Written informed consent from parents/guardians and the child (if capable)
• GMFCS levels I-III (mild to moderate motor limitations)
• Ability to maintain standing position
• Ability to follow instructions and perform exercises
• No prior exergaming therapy
• No implanted electronic devices
• No acute infections or inflammatory conditions
• No metabolic disorders affecting bioimpedance measurements

You may not qualify if:

• GMFCS levels IV-V
• Orthopedic surgery within the past 12 months
• Seizure episodes within the past 6 months
• Cognitive or behavioral impairments preventing cooperation
• Severe spinal deformities (scoliosis \>40° or other significant changes)
• Attendance at therapy sessions \<85%

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences: lead

Study Sites (2)

Specjalistyczne Centrum Medyczne im. Jana Pawła II S.A.

Polanica-Zdrój, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, 57-320, Poland

Location

Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, 51-612, Poland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral palsy, spastic, diplegic; Hemiplegia; Cerebral Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Aleksandra Kopaczyńska, Master of Science

CONTACT

+48601157773; aleksandra.kopaczynska@awf.wroc.pl

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: The participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group I: NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming performed in a sitting position using Kinect Therapy-Based Exergames. Group II: NDT-Bobath therapy supplemented with exergaming performed in a standing position using the same systems.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 28, 2026
• First Posted: February 19, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

PL (2)