Therapeutic Listening for Balance and Trunk Control in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy commonly experience difficulties with postural control, trunk stability, balance, and timely responses to sensory cues. These impairments may affect their ability to maintain stability, adapt to changes in the environment, and perform functional movements efficiently.

This randomized controlled trial is designed to investigate whether Therapeutic Listening can provide an additional therapeutic benefit when incorporated into a structured physiotherapy program. The study focuses on the potential contribution of auditory-based sensory input to functional motor performance during active rehabilitation.

The study compares a conventional rehabilitation program targeting core stability, balance, and reaction-time abilities with the same program delivered concurrently with Therapeutic Listening. The intervention period is 8 weeks, with treatment sessions provided three times per week.

The study will examine changes in balance, trunk control, and auditory reaction time following the intervention. The overall aim is to determine whether the addition of Therapeutic Listening enhances the effects of structured physiotherapy in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

The findings may help clarify the potential role of auditory-based sensory input as an adjunct to conventional pediatric physiotherapy and may provide information for future clinical research investigating multimodal rehabilitation approaches for children with cerebral palsy.

Inclusion criteria

Confirmed diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Classified at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels II or III. Lower-limb spasticity graded 1+ on the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Ability to understand and follow simple verbal instructions. Medically stable condition.

Exclusion criteria

Severe cognitive impairment interfering with intervention or assessment. Presence of hearing impairment or auditory processing disorders. History of uncontrolled seizures. Recent orthopedic surgery. Botulinum toxin injection received within the past 6 months. Any other medical condition interfering with study intervention or outcome assessment.