Effect of SCS Technique on Oromotor Skills in Children With CP

NCT07516860 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006363
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of the Strain Counter-Strain (SCS) technique on improving oromotor functions in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The intervention specifically targets the masseter, SCM, upper trapezius, scalenes, and suprahyoid muscles to release myofascial tension. The study aims to determine if modulating muscle tone through SCS can provide a stable postural foundation to enhance functional oral motor skills. Outcomes are measured after 4 weeks (one month) of intervention, focusing on mouth opening range, drooling frequency and severity, and overall oral motor functions

Conditions

Sialorrhea; Spastic Cerebral Palsy (sCP); Strain Counterstrain Technique; Oral Motor Functions; Mouth Opening

Keywords

Strain Counter-Strain; SCS technique; Oromotor Functions; Mouth Opening; Drooling Severity; Masseter Muscle; Pediatric Physical Therapy; Spastic cerebral palsy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Oral motor functions

  Assessment of oral motor skills including feeding, swallowing, and coordination using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale (OMAS). The scale scores range from 0 to 2, where higher scores indicate better function

  Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Mouth Opening Range

  Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention

• Drooling Frequency and Severity

  Baseline and after 4 weeks of intervention

Study Arms (2)

Strain counter-strain plus oral motor program

EXPERIMENTAL

This group receives the Strain Counter-Strain (SCS) technique followed by a designed oral motor program. The intervention targets the masseter, SCM, upper trapezius, scalenes, and suprahyoid muscles to release myofascial tension and normalize cervical alignment, conducted 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks

Procedure: Strain Counter-Strain (SCS); Procedure: Designed Oral Motor Program

Oral motor program only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This group receives only the designed oral motor program aimed at improving the strength, range of motion, and coordination of the masticatory and suprahyoid muscles. The program is conducted 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks

Procedure: Designed Oral Motor Program

Interventions

Strain Counter-Strain (SCS) PROCEDURE

A manual therapy technique used to release myofascial tightness and muscle tension in the head and neck region to provide a stable postural foundation for oromotor skills

Strain counter-strain plus oral motor program

Designed Oral Motor Program PROCEDURE

A structured exercise program designed to enhance oral motor functions, including feeding efficiency, mouth opening range, and drooling

Oral motor program only; Strain counter-strain plus oral motor program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 8 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Chronological age was 4 - 8 years from gender was selected
• Their degrees of spasticity were 1, 1+ according to modified Ashworth scale.
• They had moderate drooling according to modified drooling questionnaire.
• Mouth opening limitation was less than 3 cm.
• Their levels of motor function were II - III- IV according to gross motor function classification system.
• Their levels of feeding abilities were III on Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System.
• Children were able to follow instruction

You may not qualify if:

• Any history of jaw, head, and face trauma.
• Facial or dental developmental abnormalities.
• Any history of head and neck surgical intervention.
• Congenital abnormalities of head and neck

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

Giza, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sialorrhea; Cerebral Palsy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Salivary Gland Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Kamal Shoukry, PhD

  Professor of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study where both the participants and the investigator are aware of the assigned interventions. Masking was not feasible due to the nature of the manual therapy technique (Strain Counter-Strain) and the active involvement of the physical therapist in administering the protocol.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physical Therapist and Master Degree Candidate

Model Details: This is a two-arm, randomized controlled trial with a parallel assignment design. Participants are randomly allocated into two groups: the Study Group and the Control Group. Both groups receive the intervention concurrently over a period of 4 weeks. The Study Group receives the Strain Counter-Strain (SCS) technique followed by a designed oral motor program, while the Control Group receives the designed oral motor program alone. Outcomes are assessed for both groups at baseline and immediately following the 4-week intervention period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 1, 2026
• First Posted: April 8, 2026
• Study Start: January 20, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 15, 2026
• Study Completion: May 30, 2026
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)