The Effect of a Soft Lumbosacral Body Brace Supporting Physiological Lordosis on Postural Control and Walking Speed in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Primary outcomes

1. Functional Reach Test

   Time frame: The first day of assesment

   Developed by Duncan et al. in 1990 to assess dynamic balance. The maximum distance reached forward with the arm without disrupting the fixed standing position is measured. The distance between the third metacarpals is measured at the start and end positions of the test. The subject is asked to reach forward three times, and the average is taken. It is valid and reliable for children with SP (ICC = 0.94, 0.97, 0.98).

2. Seated Postural Control Measurement (SPCM)

   Time frame: The first day of assesment

   Developed by a team of occupational therapists and physiotherapists at Sunny Hill Health Centre in Vancouver, Canada, to assess seated posture. SPCM evaluates the child's postural impairment as well as the effect of sitting on postural control.

3. Paediatric Berg Balance Test

   Time frame: the first day of assesment

   The Paediatric Berg Balance Scale (PBBS), a version of the Berg Balance Scale adapted for children by Franjoine and colleagues, will be used to assess functional balance in daily living activities. The scale consists of 14 items, each scored from 0 to 4, with a maximum possible score of 56.

4. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

   Time frame: the first day of assesment

   Used to assess functional mobility and dynamic balance. The TUG is a valid and reliable test for assessing balance in children with cerebral palsy (r=0.99). A chair with a backrest but no armrests is used for the assessment. The test begins with the child sitting on the chair with their hips and knees flexed at 90°. The child is asked to stand up from the chair, walk 3 metres, and sit back down. The time taken from standing up from the chair to sitting back down is recorded. The test is repeated 3 times, and the average of these three values is taken for analysis.