Forward Versus Backward Gait Training on Functional Abilities in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

NCT ID: NCT07251751

Last Updated: 2025-12-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-11-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-03-01

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the effects of forward versus backward gait training on functional abilities in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Participants will receive gait training sessions focusing on either forward or backward walking to evaluate improvements in balance, mobility, and gross motor function.

Detailed Description

> Cerebral palsy is a common neurological disorder in children that affects movement and posture. Spastic cerebral palsy is characterized by muscle stiffness and impaired motor control, which limits the child's functional mobility.

Gait training is an essential part of rehabilitation programs for children with cerebral palsy. Previous studies have shown that both forward and backward walking can improve motor performance, but limited evidence exists comparing the two methods directly.

The present randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of forward gait training versus backward gait training on functional abilities in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: group (A) will receive a designed physical therapy program. group (B) will receive the same program with forward gait training on treadmill. group (C) will receive the same designed physical therapy program beside backward gait training on treadmill three times weekly over three successive months.

Outcome measures will include muscle strength of measurements, range of motion of lower limb,gait pattern changes and gross motor function measurements.

Conditions

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

control group (designed physical therapy program)

participants will receive designed physical therapy exercises only

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

control group ( designed physical therapy program)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive traditional physical therapy exercises focusing on stretching, strengthening, and balance training for the same duration as the experimental groups.

forward gait training

participants will receive designed physical therapy exercises beside forward gait training.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

forward gait training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The training program consists of forward walking exercises conducted three times per week for three successive months under the supervision of a physical therapist.

backward gait training

participants will receive designed physical therapy exercises beside backward gait training.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

backward gait training

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The training program consists of backward walking exercises conducted three times per week for three successive months under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Interventions

control group ( designed physical therapy program)

Participants receive traditional physical therapy exercises focusing on stretching, strengthening, and balance training for the same duration as the experimental groups.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

forward gait training

The training program consists of forward walking exercises conducted three times per week for three successive months under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

backward gait training

The training program consists of backward walking exercises conducted three times per week for three successive months under the supervision of a physical therapist.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

4. Both genders will be included. 5. Their gross motor function ability will be selected at level I, II according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

6. They will be able to understand and follow verbal commands included in evaluation and training.

Exclusion Criteria

1- Any surgical intervention in upper or lower limbs. 2¬- Any type of fracture. 3- Visual and/or auditory defects. 4- Other neurological conditions rather than CP. 5- Significant tightness or fixed deformity of lower limbs and spine. 6- Congenital heart disease.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 6 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 9 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ramy Abdulmoneem Abdullah Khidr

Principal Investigator and Physiotherapist, Ministry of Health - Egypt

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Ramy A Khidr, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

El shohadaa Central Hospital

Locations

El Shohadaa Central Hospital

Shibīn al Kawm, Monoufia, Egypt

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Egypt

Central Contacts

Ramy A khidr, PhD

Role: CONTACT

ramykhidr888@gmail.com

+201147968870

khaled A mamdouh, prof

Role: CONTACT

+201223102512

Facility Contacts

Ramy A. Khidr, PhD

Role: primary

+201147968870

References

Keep H, Luu L, Berson A, Garland SJ. Validity of the Handheld Dynamometer Compared with an Isokinetic Dynamometer in Measuring Peak Hip Extension Strength. Physiother Can. 2016;68(1):15-22. doi: 10.3138/ptc.2014-62.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 27504043 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Ramy Gait training in C.P

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id