Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07651995

Effect of Coordinative Locomotor Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that affects how children move their bodies. Children with spastic hemiplegic CP have stiffness on one side of the body, making it hard to walk and balance. This study will test a special exercise program called Coordinative Locomotor Training (CLT). CLT uses running and skating movements to train both arms and legs to work together. The investigator want to see if CLT works better than regular physiotherapy for improving coordination and balance in participants. Half of the children will do CLT, and the other half will do regular exercises. The investogar will measure their balance and walking ability before and after 4 weeks of training.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Hemiplegia Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Paralysis Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Spastic cp

Age range

8 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

About this study

This is a double-blinded, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Faisalabad. A total of 38 children diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (GMFCS Level I-II), aged 8 to 12 years, will be recruited from pediatric physiotherapy centers. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) using a computer-generated randomization list to either the Experimental Group (CLT) or the Control Group (CPT). The Experimental Group (n=19) will receive Coordinative Locomotor Training based on Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) sprinter and skater patterns. The intervention will be delivered in three postures (supine, sitting, and single-leg stand) for 3 sets of 5 repetitions with a 10-second hold and 10-second rest, lasting 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (total 12 sessions). The Control Group (n=19) will receive conventional physiotherapy consisting of hot pack application for 10 minutes, rotational exercises for 5 minutes, followed by stretching and resistance training for 15 minutes, lasting 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week for 4 weeks (total 12 sessions). The primary outcome measures are interlimb coordination (assessed via 1-step time asymmetry and stride time variability) and dynamic balance (Pediatric Balance Scale). Secondary outcomes include functional gait (TUG and 10MWT) and static balance (one-leg stand test).Participants will not know whether they are in experiment or control group. A blinded assessor will evaluate all participants at baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 8). Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children aged 8 to 12 years.
  • Diagnosed with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
  • GMFCS Level I or II.
  • Ability to follow simple verbal instructions.
  • Medically stable with no changes in anti-spastic medication in the last 3 months.

Exclusion criteria

  • Orthopedic surgery or Botulinum toxin injection in the last 6 months.
  • Severe cognitive impairment preventing cooperation.
  • Visual or vestibular deficits affecting balance.
  • Uncontrolled seizures.
  • Other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders unrelated to CP.

Treatment and study plan

Coordinative Locomotor Training

Other

Participants perform PNF sprinter pattern (flexion/adduction/external rotation on one side with extension/abduction/internal rotation on the opposite side) and skater pattern (reciprocal upper and lower limb movements). Exercises are done for 3 sets of 5 reps, 10-sec holds, 30 min/session, 3x/week for 4 weeks.

Conventional Physiotherapy

Other

rotational exercises (5 min), then passive stretching of hamstrings, quadriceps, and ankle plantarflexors combined with resistance training using elastic bands (15 min).

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Interlimb Coordination

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

    Measured by 1-step time asymmetry (NAI) during gait analysis.

  2. Change in Dynamic Balance

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

    Measured by the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS). A 14-item scale scoring from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate better balance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Functional Gait Speed

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

    Measured by the Time Up and Go (TUG) test in seconds,

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Faisalabad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Coordinative Locomotor Training as Compared to Conventional Physio Therapy in Improving Interlimb Coordination and Dynamic Balance Among Children With Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Acronym: CLT-PHYSIO-CP

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 16, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.