NCT07851701

Brief Summary

Cerebral palsy is associated with impaired balance and trunk control, which affect functional mobility and independence. This randomized clinical trial compares the effects of core stability exercises versus hippotherapy, both combined with conventional physiotherapy, on balance and trunk control in children with spastic cerebral palsy. The findings aim to determine which intervention provides greater improvement in functional outcomes.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
49

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2025

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 1, 2025

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 31, 2026

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 30, 2026

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 26, 2026

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 1, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

October 1, 2026

Status Verified

September 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

6 months

First QC Date

September 26, 2026

Last Update Submit

September 26, 2026

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Keywords

spastic cerebral palsycore stability exerciseshippotherapybalancetrunk controlpediatric rehabilitationphysical therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

    Changes from baseline in balance were assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). The PBS evaluates functional balance in children using 14 items. Higher scores indicate better balance.

    6 weeks

  • Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS)

    Changes from baseline in trunk control were assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS). The TCMS evaluates static sitting balance, dynamic sitting balance, and dynamic reaching in children with cerebral palsy. Higher scores indicate better trunk control.

    6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

core stability exercises

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received core stability exercises combined with conventional physiotherapy for 6 weeks, 4 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Combination Product: core stability exercises

hippotherapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received hippotherapy combined with conventional physiotherapy for 6 weeks, 4 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Other: hippotherapy

Interventions

core stability exercisesCOMBINATION_PRODUCT

Participants received hippotherapy combined with conventional physiotherapy for 6 weeks, 4 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

core stability exercises
hippotherapyOTHER

Participants received hippotherapy combined with conventional physiotherapy for 6 weeks, 4 sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

hippotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age4 Years - 8 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Children aged 4-8 years were included.
  • Children diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy were included.
  • Children classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels I-II were included.
  • Children with adequate cognitive function, as assessed using the WeeFIM Cognitive Subscale, were included.
  • Parents or legal guardians who provided written informed consent for participation were included

You may not qualify if:

  • Children with severe cognitive impairment preventing them from understanding or following instructions were excluded.
  • Children with uncontrolled seizures or other medical conditions contraindicating physical activity were excluded.
  • Children with a history of orthopedic surgery or botulinum toxin (Botox) injections within the previous six months were excluded.
  • Children with other neurological disorders or severe musculoskeletal deformities that could interfere with balance, trunk control, or participation in the intervention were excluded.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Pakistan Society for Rehabilitation of Differently Abled (PSRD)

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy

Interventions

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, ChronicBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Animal Assisted TherapyRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Danish Hassan, PhD

    Riphah International University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 26, 2026

First Posted

October 1, 2026

Study Start

August 1, 2025

Primary Completion

January 31, 2026

Study Completion

June 30, 2026

Last Updated

October 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

PA(1)