Carry-Over Effects of Lower Limb Cross-Training Priming on Upper Limb Function in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Cairo University
- Where
- Egypt1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Completed
- People taking part
- 40 people enrolled
- Started
- 1 Jan 2026
- Ended
- 31 Mar 2026
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Standard rehabilitation program
- Lower Limb Cross-Training Priming
- Record updated
- 13 April 2026
Who can take part
- Age
- 6 years to 8 years
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Cannot take part
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 2 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Mild spasticity (MAS 1 or 1+), independent ambulation (AFOs permitted), and the ability to follow simple instructions
Who cannot take part
- Children with significant fixed deformities, cognitive or sensory impairments hindering participation, uncontrolled epilepsy, or recent interventions like botulinum toxin or orthopedic surgery
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
PURPOSE:
Read full original descriptionShow less
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the potential carry-over effects of a 6-week lower limb strengthening-based cross-training (CT) priming protocol, added to standard physical rehabilitation, on affected upper limb function in children aged 6-8 years with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP), compared to standard physical rehabilitation alone.
BACKGROUND:
Children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) experience motor impairments affecting both lower and upper limbs, significantly impacting functional independence. While rehabilitation often targets specific limbs, interventions may induce broader neuroplastic changes. Movement-based priming, particularly strengthening-based cross-training (CT) targeting the less-affected limb, has shown promise for improving contralateral lower limb function in UCP, likely via cross-education mechanisms involving central nervous system adaptations. However, it remains largely unexplored whether such lower limb-focused priming interventions can induce secondary "carry-over" effects, positively influencing the function of the ipsilaterally affected upper limb through potential mechanisms like widespread neural adaptations or improved postural stability. Addressing this gap is crucial for understanding the holistic impact of priming interventions and optimizing rehabilitation strategies.
HYPOTHESES:
There will be no statistically significant difference in the improvement of affected handgrip strength, grasping skills and functional UL Outcome Measure between children receiving lower limb CT priming plus standard rehabilitation and those receiving standard rehabilitation alone over the 6-week intervention period.
RESEARCH QUESTION:
Does the addition of a 6-week lower limb strengthening-based cross-training priming protocol to standard physical rehabilitation result in significantly greater improvements in affected upper limb function (specifically handgrip strength and grasping skills) compared to standard physical rehabilitation alone in children aged 6-8 years with unilateral cerebral palsy?
The 2 groups in the trial
- Standard Rehabilitation OnlyExisting treatment, for comparison
Children receive 60 minutes of standard physical rehabilitation targeting motor function, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, with no lower limb cross-training priming.
Treatment: Standard rehabilitation program
- Lower Limb Cross-Training Priming + Standard RehabilitationTreatment being tested
Children receive 10-15 minutes of lower limb strengthening-based cross-training priming of the less-affected limb, immediately followed by the same 60-minute standard rehabilitation program, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks.
Treatment: Standard rehabilitation program and Lower Limb Cross-Training Priming
Data and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Carry-Over Effects of Lower Limb Cross-Training Priming on Upper Limb Function in Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Record updated
- 13 April 2026