Effective of Core Muscles Exercises and Proprioceptive Exercises on Balance and Functional Mobility in Children with Cerebral Palsy- A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cerebral palsy, a term comprises a physical disability in development, which does not spread by contact, mainly in various parts of body and its movements. Children with cerebral palsy have poor gait and reaching movement because of walking difficulty and poor balance control. Core exercises, that it has positive influence on balance and functional mobility. Proprioception exercises have proven to be effective in improving dynamic balance. Many studies have been carried to show the individual effect of proprioceptive exercises and core muscle exercises to improve balance and functional mobility of cerebral palsy children. But there is no evidence showing comparison between core exercises and proprioceptive exercises in children with cerebral palsy. Hence this study aims to see the effects of both treatment and prove which one is better by comparing proprioceptive and core stability exercises.  Methods: - A total 60 participants were included in the study out of which 54 completed the study. The participants were divided into two groups. 28 participants were given core stability exercises along with conventional exercises and 26 participants were given proprioceptive training along with conventional exercises. The intervention was given for 8 weeks. Outcomes were taken at the baseline and at the end of 8 weeks.  Results: - In this study total 54 subjects, both male (42%) and female (58%) with mean age 8.06+0.80 (Group A) and8.52+1.26 (Group B) were selected using simple random sampling and were allocated into two groups 28 subjects in Group A and 26 subjects in Group B using envelope method. The participants in Group A subjects received core stability exercises along with conventional exercises and Group B received proprioceptive training along with conventional exercises.  Between Groups Comparison When the comparison of TUG scores between group A and group B was done unpaired t test, there was no significant difference with p value (>0.05). Thus Group A (core stability exercises) and group B (proprioceptive training) were equally effective in improving functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy at the end of eight weeks intervention which supports the null hypothesis When the comparison of BOT scores between Group A and Group B was done using unpaired t test, there was no significant difference with p value (>0.05). Thus, Group A (core stability exercises) and Group B (proprioceptive training) were equally effective in improving balance in children with cerebral palsy at the end of eight weeks intervention which supports the null hypothesis.  Conclusion: - The study concluded that both core exercises and proprioceptive exercises were equally effective in improving functional mobility and balance in children with cerebral palsy at end of 8 weeks’ intervention. In the end, the study revealed no significant differences between the two groups, as both core exercises and proprioceptive exercises resulted in similar improvements in balance and functional mobility in children with cerebral palsy. Core muscle strength is closely linked to lower limb muscle endurance, and strengthening the core can enhance stability in lower limb movements, ensuring smooth and stable motion. On the other hand, proprioceptive training enhances knee stability through various sensory inputs, including muscle spindles, Golgi tendon organs, and joint afferents, all of which contribute to joint position sensing. In conclusion, both core stability exercises and proprioceptive training were found to be effective in improving balance and functional mobility over an 8-week intervention period, underscoring their potential to enhance these aspects of physical function.