Year: 2026 | Month: February | Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 76-84
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260211
Comparison of Trunk Control and Upper Limb Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Seema V. Lad1, Dhwanit S. Shah2
1MPT Student, Government Physiotherapy College, Surat, India,
2Senior lecturer, Government Physiotherapy College, Surat, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Seema V. Lad (PT)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood. Spastic cerebral palsy, the predominant subtype, presents with either unilateral or bilateral involvement of the extremities. Efficient trunk control and upper limb function are essential for performing activities of daily living. Understanding differences in trunk stability and upper limb functional performance among children with spastic CP is crucial for effective rehabilitation planning.
OBJECTIVE: To compare trunk control and upper limb function in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional observational study included 44 children with spastic cerebral palsy aged 6–15 years. Written informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians prior to participation. Trunk control was assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS). Upper limb function was evaluated using the Melbourne Assessment 2 (MA2) and the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT).
RESULTS: Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 and Microsoft Excel 2016. The Shapiro–Wilk test confirmed non-normal data distribution. The Mann–Whitney U test revealed a highly significant difference in total TCMS scores between the groups (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed across all JTHFT parameters (p < 0.001). Furthermore, MA2 subcomponents showed strong statistically significant differences, including range of motion (U = 7.975, p < 0.001), accuracy (U = 35.0, p < 0.001), dexterity (U = 22.5, p < 0.001), and fluency (U = 8.351, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The results supported the alternate hypothesis. Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy demonstrated better trunk control and fine motor hand function, whereas children with diplegic cerebral palsy showed superior performance in gross motor components of upper limb function, including range of motion, accuracy, dexterity, and movement fluency.
Key words: Trunk control, upper limb function, spastic cerebral palsy