EFFECTS OF LOWER LIMB PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE TRAINING ON BALANCE IN CHILDRENS DIAGNOSED WITH SPASTIC DIPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY

Background and objectives: Balance is the ability to move or to remain in position without losing control or falling. Control of body balance is a complex involving postures, movements, sensation, vision and vestibular system. There is 2 types of balance – Static and dynamic. Both static and dynamic balance are very important for body to maintain equilibrium in standing or sitting position and able to perform without falling. Cerebral palsy happens due to abnormal brain development before birth of child which affects childs ability to move, maintain balance and posture and walking ability, resulting in ataxia. Diplegic cerebral palsy is also knows as spastic diaplegia. It is one of the three types of cerebral palsy which presents with lot of muscle stiffness and spasms and loss of Range of Motion. Spastic diplegia mostly affects the legs and sometimes the arms, making them stiff and contracted. This makes crawling and walking difficult and most often, children will walk on their toes or with a wide scissoring gait. Legs can also turn inwards and cross at the knees due to excessive muscle contractions. Other children may not be able to walk at all. The upper extremities of the body may not be affected at all and may function normally. The purpose behind this study was to find out whether progressive resistance exercises of lower limbs affects balance of childrens affected with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, because balance is the biggest issue with diplegic cerebral palsy. The objective of the study is to analyze strength using FTSST (Five Time Sit to Stand Test) and balance using PBS (Pediatric Balance Scale). Design: Experimental study Method: Total 30 spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy childrens, both boys and girls from the age group of 6-12 years were taken. Subjects were divided into experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15). Pre and post values of FTSST (Five Time Sit to Stand Test) and PBS (Pediatric Balance Scale) were taken. Control group were given conventional treatment and the experimental group underwent progressive resistance exercise for 6 weeks. Strength training was given to quadriceps and hamstrings muscles using weight cuffs with 8 RM. Resistance was increased after every 2 weeks. At the end of 6th week post values were noted and compared with pre values. Result: PBS (Pediatric Balance Scale) was significantly improved in experimental group. FTSST (Five Time Sit to Stand Test) was also significantly improved in experimental group Conclusion: Result concluded that Progressive Resistance Exercises have significant beneficial effects on balance in spastic diplegic cerebral palsy patient preventing falls and improving walking ability.