Effect of Aquatic Therapy Program on Balance in Children With Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

NCT07669350 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: trial CP
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

1. 1.Evaluate the effect of a structured aquatic therapy programme on static balance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.
2. 2.Assess the effect of the same programme on dynamic balance in this patient population.
3. 3.Compare balance outcomes between children receiving aquatic therapy and those receiving conventional land-based physiotherapy.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Keywords

Aquatic therapy; Diaplegia; cerebral palsy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• static balance

  Static and dynamic balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System. Stability indices will be recorded to evaluate postural control and balance performance

  baseline

Study Arms (2)

Study group

EXPERIMENTAL

study group will receive aquatic exercise therapy

Other: aquatic therapy

control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

land exercise program

Other: land exercise program

Interventions

aquatic therapy OTHER

Aquatic therapy is a specialized rehabilitation approach that utilizes the physical properties of water, including buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and resistance, to facilitate movement and improve functional performance in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. The aquatic environment reduces weight-bearing demands, allowing safer practice of balance, gait, strength, and motor control activities while minimizing joint stress. Regular aquatic therapy may enhance muscle strength, postural stability, mobility, and overall participation in daily activities.

Study group

land exercise program OTHER

The control group participated in a conventional land-based exercise program consisting of stretching, strengthening, balance, and functional mobility exercises. The program focused on improving lower-extremity muscle strength, postural control, gait performance, and overall functional abilities through activities performed on a stable surface. Exercises were progressed according to each participant's abilities while maintaining consistency in treatment duration and frequency across the study groups.

control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Confirmed diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy by a paediatric neurologist or developmental paediatrician
• Age between 5 and 12 years
• Classified at GMFCS levels I-III
• Bilateral lower limb spasticity with a Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score of ≥ 1

You may not qualify if:

• Athetoid, ataxic, or mixed-type cerebral palsy
• GMFCS levels IV or V (non-ambulatory children)
• Uncontrolled seizure disorder or epilepsy not managed by medication
• Open wounds, skin infections, or active dermatological conditions contraindicating water immersion
• Fear of water (aquaphobia) or inability to tolerate the aquatic environment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Delta University for Science and Technology: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Aquatic Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hydrotherapy; Physical Therapy Modalities; Therapeutics; Rehabilitation

Central Study Contacts

ibrahim A abu ella, Phd

CONTACT

+201008442281; ibrahimneuron@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 20, 2026
• First Posted: June 25, 2026
• Study Start: June 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 15, 2026
• Last Updated: June 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share