Action Observation Therapy in Children With Spastic Diplegia
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: A selected physical therapy program, Live action observation training (AOT), Video action observation training (AOT).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Spastic Diplegia. Basic parameters: 4 years — 7 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effect of Live Versus Video Action Observation Training on Balance and Gait in Children With Spastic Diplegia
Overview
The aim of this study is to compare the effect of live versus video action observation training (AOT) on balance and gait in children with spastic diplegia.
Detailed description
Children with spastic diplegic often face difficulties with balance and walking, affecting their independence and quality of life. Because of the impact of reduced gait speed and other gait abnormalities on their participation and quality of life, the main focus of physical therapy interventions is to improve balance and gait of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Action observation training is a developing rehabilitation based on mirror neurons that activate when one performs movements or observes the movements of others. It is applied to improve motor skills and learning in athletes, healthy people, and patients with motor disorders.
Although many studies have focused on the application of action observation training (AOT), especially in improving upper limb function in individuals with stroke or children with CP, there is still a lack of sufficient research examining its effects on spasticity, gross motor abilities, balance, and gait in children with CP.
There is one study comparing the effects of live and video forms of AOT on upper limb function in children with hemiparetic CP. The researchers found that live AOT was more effective than video AOT in improving upper limb performance.
To our knowledge, there are no previous studies that compare the effect of live and video forms of AOT on balance and gait in children with spastic diplegia. Addressing this gap may provide valuable insights into the optimal mode of AOT delivery for enhancing balance and gait.
Interventions
- Other A selected physical therapy program
Participants will receive a conventional physical therapy program, 3 sessions per week for 3 months. The program will include approximation exercises, balance training, functional activities (sit-to-stand, squatting, stair climbing), gait training with obstacles, walking exercises on different surfaces, and stretching exercises for the upper and lower limbs. The intervention aims to improve balance, mobility, coordination, and functional performance. - Other Live action observation training (AOT)
Participants will receive live AOT for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, for 3 months. Each task will involve 3 minutes of observing the therapist performing the activity, followed by 3 minutes of verbal guidance and 3 minutes of task execution by the child. A 1-minute rest period will be provided between tasks. - Other Video action observation training (AOT)
Participants will receive video-based AOT for 30 minutes, 3 times per week, for 3 months. They will observe task demonstrations presented on a computer screen from multiple viewing angles, followed by guided practice and task performance, similar to the live AOT protocol.
Primary outcome measures
- Overall Stability Index (OSI) [Time frame: 3 months]
- Anteroposterior Stability Index (APSI) [Time frame: 3 months]
- Mediolateral Stability Index (MLSI) [Time frame: 3 months]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Hip Flexion Angle [Time frame: 3 months]
- Knee Flexion Angle [Time frame: 3 months]
- Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle [Time frame: 3 months]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Children of diplegia who walk by a crouch gait.
- The age of the selected children will range from 4 to 7 years old.
- Degree of spasticity will range from 1 to 1+, according to modified Ashworth scale (MAS).
- They will be selected as Level II according to Gross motor function classification system (GMFCS).
- They will be able to understand the tasks and researchers' instructions.
- Their heights are not less than 1 meter to be able to see the screen of the Biodex balance system.
Exclusion criteria
- Visual or auditory impairments.
- Vestibular impairments.
- Fixed deformities of the upper, lower limbs, and the spine.
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection for the last six months.
- Orthopedic surgeries in the last six months.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- Outpatient clinic of the Faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University — Giza
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07651111 · P.T.REC/012/006208