Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Motor learning and performance are the result of an interaction between mechanical and neurologic mechanisms, in addition to cognitive factors (including arousal and attention). By modifying both cognitive and motor demands of the task, therapists can adjust their interventions to create appropriate challenges for children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of dual-task gait training on body sway during walking in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Results: Comparing the results of pre and post treatment revealed that the angle of trunk deviation was decreased by significant degree in both study and control groups, while the post treatment results revealed that children in the study group showed significantly less trunk deviation compared to that of the control group where p-value was < (0.05). Conclusion: Physical therapy program in addition to dual-task gait training were more effective in decreasing body sway in spastic diplegic children who walk with lateral trunk lurching gait

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