Effect of Task-Specific Training versus Neurodevelopmental Therapy on Balance, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Background: Children with spastic cerebral palsy commonly experience impaired balance, postural control, and functional independence. Task-Specific Training (TST) emphasizes repetitive practice of functional activities, whereas Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT) uses therapist-guided facilitation of posture and movement. Objective: To compare the effects of TST and NDT on balance, postural control, and functional independence in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This parallel-group randomized controlled trial included 40 children aged 5–12 years with GMFCS levels I–III, allocated equally to TST or NDT. Both groups received 30-minute sessions three times weekly for six weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS), and Wee Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM). Paired- and independent-samples t-tests were used. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in all outcomes (p < 0.001). At six weeks, TST produced higher post-intervention scores than NDT for PBS (48.20 ± 3.41 vs 43.10 ± 3.86; mean difference 5.10, 95% CI 2.77–7.43), TCMS (50.85 ± 4.08 vs 45.25 ± 4.47; mean difference 5.60, 95% CI 2.86–8.34), and WeeFIM (101.70 ± 5.81 vs 92.45 ± 6.36; mean difference 9.25, 95% CI 5.35–13.15), all p < 0.001. Conclusion: Both interventions were associated with improvement, while TST resulted in higher six-week balance, postural-control, and functional-independence scores than NDT
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