Effects of a core stability exercise program on balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a core stability exercise program on balance, coordination, and severity of ataxia in children with cerebellar ataxic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Forty children with cerebellar ataxic CP (mean age: 6.75±1.35 years) were randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group for 2 months of follow-up. The control group received a standard physical therapy program three times weekly (1 h per session), while the intervention group received a core stability program for 30 min, in addition to the selected physical therapy program. Both groups were evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia, the Balance Error Scoring Systems scale, Bruininks-Oseretsky tests of motor proficiency, and HUMAC balance system scores. RESULTS: We found statistically significant reductions in the severity of ataxia, as well as improved balance and coordination in both groups, with stronger effects observed in the intervention group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The core stability program can improve balance and coordination in children with cerebellar ataxic CP when incorporated with a standard physical therapy program.