Sensory Walkway and Gait in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Effect of Sensory Walkway on Gait Parameters in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

This study aims to evaluate the effect of sensory walkway training on gait performance in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Participants will be assigned to a control group receiving conventional physical therapy or an intervention group receiving conventional therapy combined with sensory walkway training. The intervention will be conducted over a defined treatment period.

This study will be conducted after approval from the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, and will follow the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent will be obtained from the parents of all participating children.

The intervention involves the use of a structured sensory walkway composed of eight wooden foot boxes filled with different textured materials, including polyester fiberfill, cut plastic straws, foam beads, and kinetic sand. This setup is designed to provide continuous multimodal tactile stimulation during gait training to enhance sensory-motor integration, postural control, and gait performance. Children in the intervention group will perform reciprocal gait training while interacting with the sensory surfaces, accompanied by verbal feedback to facilitate sensory awareness and motor engagement.

Both groups will receive a traditional physical therapy program including stretching exercises, quadruped and kneeling activities, balance training, stepper exercises, and gait training on various surfaces and equipment.

Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), and statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS software.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
• Aged between 5 and 7 years
• Classified at level II on the Gross Motor Function Classification System
• Spasticity grade 1 or 1+ according to the Modified Ashworth Scale
• Able to walk independently or with an assistive device without physical assistance
• Able to follow verbal commands
• Abnormal gait pattern

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visual or auditory impairment
• History of lower limb surgery within the past 2 years
• Use of medications affecting muscle tone and/or cognitive function
• Contractures or fixed deformities in upper or lower limbs