Specialized vs Standard Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

(SIT-PT Trial)

Recruiting at4 trial locations

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Disqualifiers: Severe visual impairment, Uncontrolled seizures, Others

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of the proposed project is to compare the efficacy of two fully developed physical therapy interventions in 8-24 months olds with or at high risk of having Cerebral Palsy (CP). Sitting Together And Reaching To Play (START-Play) targets sitting, reaching and motor-based problem solving in infancy to improve global development. Usual Care Physical Therapy (UCPT) focuses on advancing motor skills and preventing impairments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment START-Play Physical Therapy for Cerebral Palsy?

The research highlights the importance of individualized and home-centered therapy approaches, which are similar to the START-Play treatment, in improving physical abilities in children with cerebral palsy. These approaches have shown promise in enhancing walking and upper extremity function when combined with conventional therapy. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is physical therapy safe for children with cerebral palsy?

The research does not provide specific safety data for the physical therapy treatments mentioned, but physical therapy is generally considered safe for children with cerebral palsy as it is a common part of their rehabilitation. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

How is the START-Play Physical Therapy treatment different from other treatments for cerebral palsy?

START-Play Physical Therapy is unique because it focuses on engaging children in play-based activities to improve their sitting and reaching abilities, which is different from traditional physical therapy that often emphasizes standard exercises and movement normalization. ^{1 2 5 6 9}

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young children aged 8-24 months with or at high risk of Cerebral Palsy. They must have a gross motor delay, be able to prop sit for a few seconds, focus visually on objects and show some spontaneous arm movement. Children with severe visual impairments, certain congenital anomalies, uncontrolled seizures or progressive disabilities are not eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is between 8-24 months old, considering their adjusted age for prematurity.

Gross motor delay with a Bayley IV gross motor subscale score less than 5.5 (1.5 standard deviation below mean)

I can sit up with support, move my arms, and focus on an object or face for a few seconds.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have severe health issues that would prevent me from participating in assessments or interventions.

My child does not have a progressive disability, we are not moving soon, no major surgery is planned, and they don't have genetic conditions like intellectual disability or autism.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either the START-Play or UCPT intervention for 3 months, focusing on motor skills and problem-solving

12 weeks

24 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sitting behavior, cognitive skills, and motor skills

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• START-Play Physical Therapy (Behavioural Intervention)
• Usual Care Physical Therapy (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study compares two physical therapy methods in toddlers: START-Play focuses on sitting, reaching and problem-solving skills to boost overall development; Usual Care Physical Therapy aims to improve motor skills and prevent impairments related to CP.

Participant Groups

Group I: START-Play Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Sitting Together And Reaching to Play is an intervention designed to work on motor-based problem-solving. Thus the activities keep thinking skills at the forefront while also working on advancing motor skills. When initially developed to work with children who were emerging sitters the motor tasks focused on sitting and reaching resulting in the name.

Group II: Movement, Orientation, Repetition, and Exercise (MORE-PT) - Usual Care Physical Therapy Active Control 1 Intervention

This intervention was based on the observations of usual care from a previous study. Key principles included the use of Movement, Orientation, Repetition, and Exercise thus the intervention name was changed to MORE-PT before enrollment started. This reduced bias as the therapists and families were not informed this was usual care which could have biased them.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

Dr. Samir A.

University of Southern California

Chief Executive Officer since 2024

PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Southern California

Dr. Chung

University of Southern California

Chief Medical Officer since 2016

MD from UC San Diego

Findings from Research

A randomized controlled trial involving 59 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy evaluated the effectiveness of individualized home-centered activity-based therapy alongside standard physiotherapy.

While the home-centered therapy was found to be safe and feasible, it did not lead to significant improvements in walking ability over 6 months compared to those receiving only institutional physiotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Add-on Home-Centered Activity-Based Therapy vs Conventional Physiotherapy in Improving Walking Ability at 6-Months in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Goswami, JN., Sankhyan, N., Singhi, P.[2021]

In a study of 465 children with cerebral palsy, 66% of the physical therapy interventions provided were evidence-based, indicating a strong adherence to effective treatment practices.

There was significant variation in the types of interventions delivered based on the children's Gross Motor Function Classification System levels, suggesting that therapy may need to be tailored more specifically to individual capabilities for optimal outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Describing the Delivery of Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Intervention to Individuals With Cerebral Palsy. Bailes, AF., Greve, K., Long, J., et al.[2023]

The study will evaluate a 6-week home-based ride-on-toy navigation training (RNT) program for 15 children aged 3 to 8 years with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), aiming to improve upper extremity function when combined with conventional therapy.

The RNT program is expected to be feasible and acceptable, with assessments planned to measure improvements in unimanual and bimanual function, as well as child engagement and motivation during therapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A protocol for a single-arm interventional study assessing the effects of a home-based joystick-operated ride-on-toy navigation training programme to improve affected upper extremity function and spontaneous use in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Shahane, V., Kumavor, P., Morgan, K., et al.[2023]

A survey of 123 therapists in Canada revealed that physical therapists tend to focus more on 'body functions and structure' in their interventions for children with cerebral palsy, while both occupational and physical therapists emphasize 'activity and participation' but often neglect leisure and community activities.

The study highlights a growing emphasis on modifying the environment in therapy interventions, aligning with current evidence-based practices, but also indicates a need for better integration of participation-focused strategies in therapy for children with cerebral palsy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current Rehabilitation Practices for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Focus and Gaps. Anaby, D., Korner-Bitensky, N., Steven, E., et al.[2017]

A new checklist was developed to standardize the description of physiotherapy modalities for children with cerebral palsy, created by a group of specialized physiotherapists and tested across various pediatric units in Italy.

The checklist achieved high inter-rater agreement among expert physiotherapists, making it a reliable tool for improving communication between specialists and families, and enhancing the comparability of research studies in CP rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Core elements of physiotherapy in cerebral palsy children: proposal for a trial checklist. Meghi, P., Rossetti, L., Corrado, C., et al.[2012]

References

1. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Add-on Home-Centered Activity-Based Therapy vs Conventional Physiotherapy in Improving Walking Ability at 6-Months in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Defining usual physiotherapy care in ambulant children with cerebral palsy in the United Kingdom: A mixed methods consensus study. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Describing the Delivery of Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Intervention to Individuals With Cerebral Palsy. [2023]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A protocol for a single-arm interventional study assessing the effects of a home-based joystick-operated ride-on-toy navigation training programme to improve affected upper extremity function and spontaneous use in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current Rehabilitation Practices for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Focus and Gaps. [2017]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a functional therapy program on motor abilities of children with cerebral palsy. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reliability and Validity of Objective Measures of Physical Activity in Youth With Cerebral Palsy Who Are Ambulatory. [2019]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Actual vs. best practices for young children with cerebral palsy: a survey of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Quebec, Canada. [2009]

9. Italy pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Core elements of physiotherapy in cerebral palsy children: proposal for a trial checklist. [2012]