Sensory processing abilities, postural stability, and selective motor control in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to assess sensory processing abilities, selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) and postural stability among children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) and to compare hemiplegic CP and age-matched typically developing children (TDC). The ages of the children that took part in the study varied from 6 to 10 years old, and they included 30 TDC and 30 hemiplegic CP. Outcomes were assessed using: (a) the Child Sensory Profile 2 (CSP-2) to evaluate sensory processing; (b) the Test of Arm Selective Control (TASC) and the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE) to assess selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) of the upper and lower extremities, respectively; and (c) the HUMAC Balance System to evaluate postural stability. The findings of the current study revealed statistically substantial reduction in HUMAC Balance System test scores of modified clinical test of sensory integration and balance (mCTSIB), center of pressure (COP) and limit of stability (LOS) 4 and 6 in children having hemiplegic CP in comparison with TDC (p< 0.001) respectively. A substantial decline was found in SCALE and TASC scores among children having hemiplegia in comparison with that of TDC (p<0.001) while children with hemiplegic CP exhibited significantly higher scores compared to TDC across various sections of CSP-2. Children with hemiplegic CP have significant deficits in sensory processing abilities, postural control and selective voluntary motor control compared to TDC that could guide clinical practice and decision-making process for effective rehabilitation.