Suit therapy with dual-task exercises to improve walking and gross motor skills in children with diplegic cerebral palsy

The Effectiveness of Suit Therapy With Dual Task Exercises on Gross Motor Functions and Walking in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

This program will try suit therapy combined with dual-task exercises to see if it helps children aged 6–12 with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy walk and move better.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Ages: 6 Years to 12 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Kafrelsheikh University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh)
• Trial ID: NCT07096531 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional program enrolls children aged 6–12 with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy to compare suit therapy alone versus suit therapy plus dual-task exercises. Participants receive repeated therapy sessions at Kafrelsheikh University and are assessed on gross motor performance and walking ability using standard clinical measures before and after the intervention. Children with fixed contractures, sensory impairments, uncontrolled seizures, severe intellectual disability, or cardiac/orthopedic conditions that affect assessment are excluded. The aim is to see whether adding cognitive-motor dual-task training to suit therapy yields greater improvements in posture, muscle tone, walking speed, and functional mobility than suit therapy alone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children aged 6–12 with a medical diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, mild-to-moderate spasticity (Modified Ashworth scale 1 to 2+), who can sit with good balance, follow verbal commands, and attend regular therapy sessions are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Children with permanent bony or soft-tissue contractures, significant visual or hearing impairments, uncontrolled epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, or cardiac/orthopedic conditions that limit assessment or participation are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the combined approach could help children with diplegic CP improve posture, muscle tone, walking ability, and everyday mobility.

How similar studies have performed: Suit therapy is relatively new and experimental; small prior reports suggest possible improvements in tone and posture, but high-quality evidence—especially for combining suit therapy with dual-task training—is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age from 6 to 12 years.
* Both sexes.
* A medical diagnosis of spastic diplegic CP made by pediatricians or pediatric neurologists.
* Children with spasticity grades ranged from 1 to 2+ according to the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS).
* Children who can sit on the chair with good balance and recognize and follow verbal orders and commands are included in both testing and training techniques.

Exclusion Criteria:

* They had a permanent deformity (bony or soft tissue contractures).
* Children having visual or auditory defects.
* Current hospitalization for urgent medical reasons.
* Severe mental retardation.
* Children who will undergo fewer than twelve regular sessions of physical therapy at their place will not be included in the survey.
* Children with a history of epileptic seizure or any diagnosed cardiac or orthopedic disability that may hinder assessment methods and treatment.

Where this trial is running

Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh

• Kafrelsheikh University — Kafr ash Shaykh, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Waleed S Althobaiti, MBBCH

Conditions Suit Therapy; Dual Task Exercises; Gross Motor Functions; Walking; Children; Diplegic Cerebral Palsy