Effects of Fun-Core (Child-Friendly Core Stabilization) Exercises on Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Effects of Fun-Core (Child-Friendly Core Stabilization) Exercises on Balance and Functional Mobility in Children With Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

A total of 54 children, aged between 6 and 12 years, diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and not meeting the exclusion criteria, who registered at the outpatient clinics of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, between June 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026, were planned to be included in our thesis study, which was planned to be prospective, randomized and single-blind. Children and their parents will be informed verbally and in writing about the study's purpose, duration, and method of implementation, and their informed consent will be obtained. They will be asked to sign an "Informed Consent Form." Patient assessment and follow-up forms will be completed at pre- and post-treatment follow-ups. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be numbered according to their order of admission and then randomly assigned to either the intervention or control groups by a computer program.

In addition to a brochure showing the number of sets and repetitions to be given to the patients as a standard home exercise program, the Fun-Core video exercise program, designed as a child-friendly core stabilization exercise program to be performed 3 times a week, will be given to the intervention group (G1), and the exercises will be delivered to the participants through a website with special accounts.

The control group (G2) will receive a standard home exercise program in brochure format, showing the number of sets and repetitions. The exercise program will be performed at home three times a week for 8 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy between the ages of 6 and 12
• Children with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels 1, 2, and 3
• Shoe sizes 30 and above

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairments that prevent understanding and performing simple commands and tasks
• Botulinum toxin injections into the upper and/or lower extremities within the last 6 months
• History of lower extremity or lumbar surgery within the last year
• Presence of uncontrolled severe epileptic seizures
• Presence of severe vision or hearing problems
• Presence of fixed contractures in the lower extremities