Improving dynamic balance by self-controlled feedback in children with cerebral palsy

Morteza Pourazar; Morteza Homayounnia Firoozjah; Mojtaba Dehestani Ardakani

doi:10.1016/j.humov.2023.103123

Improving dynamic balance by self-controlled feedback in children with cerebral palsy

Hum Mov Sci. 2023 Aug:90:103123. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2023.103123. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

Authors

Morteza Pourazar¹, Morteza Homayounnia Firoozjah², Mojtaba Dehestani Ardakani³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mortezapourazar@gmail.com.
² Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 14665-889, Tehran, Iran.
³ Physical Education Department, Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.

PMID: 37478681
DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2023.103123

Abstract

Aims: Maintaining balance is an important topic for participation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in their own activities. Purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of self-controlled and yoked-group feedback on dynamic balance of children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (SHCP).

Methods: Using Convenience Sampling Method, twenty students with Cerebral Palsy, aged 8-10 years old, were selected from special schools and divided into the Self-Controlled (SC) and Yoked feedback groups. Children in SC group requested feedback when necessary during the acquisition phase; in contrast, participants in yoked group replicated the feedback schedule of their counterparts in SC group without any choice. Modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) was used for both dynamic balance intervention and assessment. To analyze the data, Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) Tests were performed at p < 0.05.

Results: Based on MANCOVA test results, a significant difference were found between SC and Yoked groups after controlling for pretest at least in one balance variables (anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial). Results of ANCOVA test showed a significant difference between the balance variables in the anterior, Posterolateral, and posteromedial directions in children with cerebral palsy.

Conclusions: Findings of our study support the idea that requested feedback in SC conditions could have more benefits for motor learning since it is adjusted with the needs and preferences of children.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Dynamic balance; Self-controlled feedback; Yoked feedback.

MeSH terms

Cerebral Palsy*
Child
Feedback
Humans
Physical Therapy Modalities
Students