Balance is the ability to establish an equilibrium between the body and its
environment. Balance is a key component which is associated with a variety of movements
and postural control. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have difficulties with movement
and postural control due to physical and neurological limitations. The purpose of this study
was to investigate the effectiveness of a static and dynamic balance training program on the
balance of boys and girls aged 7-11 years (N=4) who have mild to moderate cerebral palsy.
A single-subject multiple baseline design was used for this study. Subjects were assessed
on four valid field test measures (two static; two dynamic balances). Testing sessions were
videotaped to ensure accuracy and reliability of the test measures. The interobserver
agreement ranged from 80% to 87% on all four field tests.
Baseline was established when subjects established at least three consistent
measures, (within a 25% range on 3 of the 4 measures), or following the second week of
baseline collection, which ever occurred first. Subjects were tested three times daily with
mean scores plotted. Initially, two subjects were paired to begin the intervention period.
The remaining two subjects continued in baseline period for one week, with the treatment
intervention delayed.
During training, subjects received training with a 1:1 teacher-student ratio. Training consisted of 45 minute balance training sessions, 4 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. Each subject was tested daily on one field test daily. Lesson plans were developed to address one of the four subsystems of balance. Post data was collected on all four field tests at one week intervals for a total of 3.
Through visual analysis of the data, results indicate that some improvements occurred as a result of the implemented balance training program. Dynamic balance tests showed greater positive changes than the static balance tests. This may be due to the fact that since children like to use a variety of locomotor movements, and thus practice dynamic balance more than static balance. Anecdotal information from the parents seemed to support improvements in balance abilities. There is very little research that focuses on the balance of children with cerebral palsy. More studies are needed to further investigate balance training for persons with CP. / Graduation date: 1995
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/35089 |
| Date | 31 May 1994 |
| Creators | Senisi, Michael |
| Contributors | McCubbin, Jeffrey A. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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