Trunk-focused therapy improved some movement outcomes in children with cerebral palsy
A review of randomized trials found improvements in trunk control and gross motor function, while balance and spasticity results remained uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Trunk-focused interventions improved trunk control and gross motor function in the pooled trials. The overall balance result was not statistically significant, and evidence on spasticity was sparse. These findings concern measured movement outcomes in children with cerebral palsy; they do not establish a preferred treatment schedule or consistent benefits across all outcomes.
The abstract does not describe control treatments or treatment durations. Balance results varied substantially across studies, and the evidence on spasticity was too limited for a firm conclusion.
What researchers found
Gross motor function
Trunk-focused interventions versus unspecified trial controls; assessment timeframe unreported. This standardized mean difference expresses improvement relative to score variability. It does not give raw motor-score gains or establish noticeable everyday improvement.
Outcomes gave different answers
The review examined trunk control, broader motor function, balance and spasticity. Improvements in trunk control and gross motor function did not extend to a statistically clear overall balance benefit. The limited spasticity evidence found no group difference.
Frequency remains an open question
A subgroup receiving more frequent sessions showed a statistically significant balance result. That finding alone cannot establish that more frequent treatment works better than less frequent treatment; the schedules would need to be compared directly.
The original publication
The Effects of Trunk Intervention on Gross Motor Function, Balance, and Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Lim MS, Yoo BC, Lim HW
Medicina (Kaunas) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40870368
- Record checked
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