IMPACT OF VESTIBULAR STIMULATION ON MOTOR FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH HYPOTONIC CEREBRAL PALSY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether adding vestibular stimulation to conventional physiotherapy improves motor function and balance in children with hypotonic cerebral palsy. A total of 82 children (ages 5–10 years) with quadriplegic cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to either a control group receiving routine physical therapy or an intervention group receiving the same therapy plus vestibular stimulation. Over a 6-week period, motor function and balance were measured using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Statistical analyses revealed that the intervention group showed significant improvements in both gross motor skills and balance scores compared to the control group (p < .001). These findings indicate that incorporating vestibular stimulation may be an effective adjunct to standard therapy for enhancing motor performance and balance in children with hypotonic cerebral palsy.