Relationship Between Trunk Control and Balance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Trunk control is impaired in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) thus influencing their functional balance. However, there is a paucity of literature determining the relationship between trunk control and balance in children with CP. AIM: To find the relationship between trunk control and balance by means of Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) and Paediatric Balance Scale (PBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four children {age range 8-14 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I-III} with spastic CP were recruited and evaluated using TCMS and PBS. The results were expressed as summary measures median (M) and Inter-Quartile Range (IQR). The correlation of TCMS and PBS were done using Spearman's correlation coefficient. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: =0.85. While based on GMFCS levels, Level II and Level III had a very strong correlation (For level II rs=0.81 and level III rs=0.86) and weak correlation for level I (rs=0.27). CONCLUSION: Based on gender, topography and severity of the motor impairment both trunk control and balance are impaired to a different degree in children with CP. The findings of this study showed a high positive correlation between trunk control and balance in children with spastic CP.