Effects of Core Stability Program on Abdominal Endurance in Wheelchair Bound Cerebral Palsy

NCT07764952 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: RCR/RCR&AHS/25/0747
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a Core Stability Program on abdominal endurance and constipation severity in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy. It seeks to determine whether targeted core strengthening exercises can improve muscular endurance of the abdominal region while also alleviating constipation symptoms, thereby enhancing overall functional health and quality of life in this population.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Keywords

Cerebral Palsy; Exercise Therapy; Muscle Strength; Muscle Endurance; Constipation; Posture

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Abdominal Muscle Endurance

  Abdominal muscle endurance will be assessed to evaluate the effect of a core stability program in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy. The Modified Curl-Up Test will be used. Participants perform as many correct curl-ups as possible in 1 minute with standardized form and positioning. Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months Measurement: Number of correctly performed curl-ups in 1 minute. Higher number indicates better outcome.

  3 months

• Change in Constipation Severity

  Constipation severity will be assessed to evaluate the effect of a core stability program on bowel function in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy. The Modified Bristol Stool Form Scale for Children \[mBSFS-C\] will be used. Parents/caregivers record stool type daily for 7 days. An average weekly score will be calculated. Time Frame: Baseline and 3 months Measurement: mBSFS-C score ranging from 1 to 7. Scores of 1-2 indicate constipation. Scores of 3-4 indicate normal stool form. Improvement toward scores of 3-4 indicates better outcome.

  3 months

Study Arms (2)

Core Stability Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive a structured core stability training program designed to improve abdominal muscle strength and endurance. The program will include supervised therapeutic exercises focusing on trunk control, core activation, and postural stability, administered over a specified period in addition to routine care or standard management.

Other: Core Stability Program

traditional Physiotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive conventional physiotherapy focusing on improving abdominal endurance. The intervention will include exercises such as static and dynamic trunk strengthening, pelvic tilts, assisted sit-ups, breathing exercises, and postural control activities. Sessions will be conducted under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist, typically 3-5 times per week for a specified duration. The program aims to enhance core muscle strength, improve trunk stability, and support functional activities in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy.

Other: traditional Physiotherapy

Interventions

Core Stability Program OTHER

The intervention consists of a structured core stability program designed to improve trunk control and abdominal muscle function in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy. The program includes targeted exercises focusing on strengthening deep abdominal and trunk muscles through progressive, age-appropriate, and functional activities performed under physiotherapist supervision over a defined period.

Core Stability Program

traditional Physiotherapy OTHER

Participants in this arm will receive conventional physiotherapy focusing on improving abdominal endurance. The intervention will include exercises such as static and dynamic trunk strengthening, pelvic tilts, assisted sit-ups, breathing exercises, and postural control activities. Sessions will be conducted under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist, typically 3-5 times per week for a specified duration. The program aims to enhance core muscle strength, improve trunk stability, and support functional activities in wheelchair-bound children with cerebral palsy.

traditional Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of cerebral palsy - particularly spastic or hemiplegic types
• Regardless the cause of CP
• Age range typically 6-12 years old
• A motor function level IV as per the Gross Motor Function Classification System
• Grade 1 / 1+ (mild spasticity) according to Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS)
• Non-ambulatory or inability to ambulate
• CP children with constipation ; Fewer than 3 defecations per week, History of hard stools or painful defecation
• Defecation frequency measured less than three times a week is considered constipation using Rome IV
• Parental/guardian permission (informed consent) and child assent of a minor if the patient was able to assent (35).
• The ability to understand and follow instructions

You may not qualify if:

• Had visual impairments, extreme spasticity, uncontrolled convulsions, any other neuromuscular diseases, ataxia-telangiectasia, spinocerebellar ataxia, and/or Joubert syndrome
• Children who received botulinum toxin injection within the last six months, had fixed contractures or deformities of the spine or the extremities, and had previous surgeries of the spine or the lower extremities within one year or visual, auditary or respiratory disorders
• Children with any other systemic co morbidities, physical deformity in GIT, intellectual disability and recent traumatic brain injury
• Participation in other intensive physical therapy programs simultaneously
• Severe musculoskeletal deformities that limit participation in the training
• Children with congenital anatomic abnormalities of the urogenital area, including Hirschsprung's disease, spina bifida, anorectal malformations, urethral strictures, down syndrome or hypothyroidism, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal perforation, ileus obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon, metal implants or pacemakers in the abdominal area, open wounds in the abdominal and thoracic region, history of surgery on the stomach, malignancy .

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

CLC

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• El Shemy SA. Trunk endurance and gait changes after core stability training in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2018;31(6):1159-1167. doi: 10.3233/BMR-181123.

  PMID: 30056415 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Constipation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Javeria Azeem, MS PPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: In this study, participant masking will be implemented by limiting participants' awareness of group allocation to reduce expectancy bias. Investigator masking will be applied by ensuring that the assessors responsible for measuring abdominal endurance and constipation outcomes are not informed about the participants' group assignments. This approach helps minimize assessment bias and improves the reliability and validity of the study results.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This interventional study will employ a parallel design in which participants are assigned to two groups that receive different interventions or conditions simultaneously. Each group will be followed over the same study period, and outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention. This design allows comparison of effects between groups receiving the core stability program and the comparison Traditional physiotherapy, ensuring evaluation of the intervention's effectiveness under similar time conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: August 14, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)