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Cerebral Palsy (CP)NCT07173647

Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening Program With and Without Electrical Muscle Stimulation Among Children With Cerebral Palsy

A study testing PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle Stimulation and PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle Stimulation in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP), run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized clinical research will assess the impact of a Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program, both with and without Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), on balance, gait, and mobility in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 10 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
What is being tested?
PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle Stimulation and PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
26 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
25 Nov 2024to 25 Jun 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 10 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Children from 6 to 10 years old
  • Both gender
  • Participant with spastic cerebral palsy
  • Children who can easily follow verbal directions
  • Participant with good and fair one lower limb selective motor control
  • Participant who can walk independently
  • Participant who lies between 1 to 2 levels of Gross motor function
  • People who are willing to participate

Who cannot join

  • Participant who had gone under any neurological surgery, orthopedic surgery or bachlofen pump implant in previous year
  • Participant who had serial casting or who use any new orthotics from last 3 months
  • Participant with involvement in any exercise, physical therapy, or any sports proceeding within last three months
  • Participant who had any serious medical condition like diabetes, seizure, or any cardiac disease
  • Participant who are involved in any fitness program that can improve cardio respiratory endurance

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pakistan1 site
  • University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

    Lahore, Punjab Province

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

This randomized clinical research will assess the impact of a Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program, both with and without Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), on balance, gait, and mobility in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. A total of 26 individuals will be recruited via purposive sampling and randomly allocated to two groups utilizing the sealed envelope method. Group A will undergo the PEDAL program in conjunction with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) administered to the quadriceps during stationary cycling, whereas Group B will participate in the PEDAL program exclusively, without EMS. Both groups will participate in supervised sessions three times weekly for four weeks, with each session lasting 60 minutes and comprising a warm-up, cycling-based strength and endurance training, and cool-down stretches. EMS parameters will be implemented in accordance with published protocols for strength (30-80 Hz, 150-350 μs) and endurance (8-35 Hz, 150-250 μs) training. Outcome measures, comprising the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Gait Outcomes Assessment List (GOAL™️) questionnaire, will be evaluated at baseline and following four weeks of intervention. The data will be examined utilizing SPSS version 27. This study aims to determine whether incorporating EMS into a structured pediatric strengthening and endurance regimen yields greater improvements in motor function compared to exercise alone.

Read the detailed description

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a predominant cause of childhood impairment, characterized by diminished strength, decreased endurance, inadequate postural control, and restrictions in movement and mobility. Rehabilitation regimens emphasizing endurance and limb strengthening have demonstrated beneficial impacts on motor performance and functional independence in this demographic. Nonetheless, voluntary muscular activation in children with cerebral palsy is frequently constrained, potentially diminishing the efficacy of traditional exercise regimens. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) has been implemented as a supplementary method to augment muscle recruitment, reduce stiffness, and enhance neuromuscular control. This trial will examine the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program, both with and without Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The PEDAL program employs cycling-based training aimed at enhancing aerobic endurance and lower-limb strength, integrating increasing resistance and functional task elements. In the intervention group, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) will be administered to the quadriceps muscles during exercise to enhance contractions and potentially increase the training benefits. The study aims to determine if the integration of EMS with endurance and strength training yields superior enhancements in balance, gait, and mobility compared to exercise alone. This project aims to enhance the evidence foundation for pediatric neurorehabilitation, perhaps facilitating the incorporation of EMS-assisted exercise into standard physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy to optimize motor results and independence.

Being tested
PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle Stimulation, PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Keywords
Pediatric Rehabilitation, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), Strength Training, Endurance Training, Balance and Gait, Neurorehabilitation
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle StimulationDevice

    Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) will be applied to the quadriceps muscles of children with cerebral palsy during stationary cycling sessions as part of the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program. EMS will be delivered using clinically approved portable stimulators at parameters appropriate for muscle strengthening and endurance training (frequency 35-50 Hz, pulse width 200-400 μs, duty cycle on/off as tolerated). EMS will be administered simultaneously with cycling to enhance muscle activation and improve motor outcome

  • PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle StimulationBehavioural

    The PEDAL program is a structured exercise intervention designed for children with cerebral palsy. It includes 60-minute sessions of stationary cycling, warm-up, endurance and limb strengthening exercises, and cool-down stretching. Sessions are conducted three times per week for four weeks under therapist supervision. This program is used in both arms of the trial, with or without adjunct Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS).

Study groups in NCT07173647
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle StimulationExperimentalParticipants in this group will receive the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program combined with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) applied to the quadriceps muscles during stationary cycling exercises. Each session will last 60 minutes, three times per week for four weeks, and will include warm-up, strengthening and endurance cycling, and cool-down stretching. EMS parameters will follow established clinical guidelines for strength and endurance training.
Receives: Device: PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle Stimulation
PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle StimulationActive comparatorParticipants in this group will receive the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program only, without electrical muscle stimulation. The program will also be delivered using stationary cycling for 60 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks, with warm-up, strengthening and endurance cycling, and cool-down stretching, following the same protocol as the intervention group but without EMS.
Receives: Behavioral: PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle Stimulation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Timed Up and Go

    Time (seconds) to stand from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit. Lower times indicate better mobility. Used to determine whether the PEDAL program with or without electrical muscle stimulation produces greater improvement in functional mobility.

    Measured: Baseline to 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Gait Outcomes Assessment List

    Parent-reported questionnaire assessing gait-related function and participation in children with cerebral palsy. Higher scores indicate better function.

    Measured: Baseline to 4 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Sep 2025
  2. Study start25 Nov 2024
  3. Primary completion25 May 2025
  4. Study completion25 Jun 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Model Description:This study follows a parallel assignment design in which participants are randomly allocated into two groups. Group A will receive the Pediatric Endurance and Limb Strengthening (PEDAL) program combined with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), while Group B will receive the PEDAL program without EMS. Both groups will be treated and assessed in parallel over the 4-week intervention period
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
26 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07173647
Sponsor's protocol ID
UOL/IREB/25/09/0041
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
7 Sep 2025
Last updated
28 Nov 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Naro A, Leo A, Russo M, Casella C, Buda A, Crespantini A, Porcari B, Carioti L, Billeri L, Bramanti A, Bramanti P, Calabro RS. Breakthroughs in the spasticity management: Are non-pharmacological treatments the future? J Clin Neurosci. 2017 May;39:16-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.02.044. Epub 2017 Mar 3.

    PubMed 28262404
  • Ferrari A. From movement to action: a new framework for cerebral palsy. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2019 Dec;55(6):852-861. doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05845-3. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

    PubMed 31556512
  • Downs (2015) reviewed the Berg Balance Scale, emphasizing its importance in physiotherapy practice.

  • Divita (2024) investigated the effects of high- versus low-frequency whole body vibration on TUG, BBS, and walking performance in chronic stroke patients.

  • Christensen et al. (2019) compared TUG performance in pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain to asymptomatic pregnant and non-pregnant women.

  • Cho et al. (2019) developed a dual-mode feedback-controlled cycling system designed for upper limb rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy.

  • Bartels EM, Korbo L, Harrison AP. Novel insights into cerebral palsy. J Muscle Res Cell Motil. 2020 Sep;41(2-3):265-267. doi: 10.1007/s10974-020-09577-4.

    PubMed 32065339
  • Armstrong EL, Spencer S, Kentish MJ, Horan SA, Carty CP, Boyd RN. Efficacy of cycling interventions to improve function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2019 Jul;33(7):1113-1129. doi: 10.1177/0269215519837582. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

    PubMed 30935240
  • Armstrong EL, Boyd RN, Horan SA, Kentish MJ, Ware RS, Carty CP. Functional electrical stimulation cycling, goal-directed training, and adapted cycling for children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2020 Dec;62(12):1406-1413. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14648. Epub 2020 Aug 9.

    PubMed 33146438
  • Anwar, A., Waheed, F., Javaid, A., Zahoor, I. A., Malik, A. N., & Abbas, R. (2023). Normative Values of Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test in Elderly Females; A Descriptive Study: Berg Balance Scale in Elderly Females. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, 3(6), 617-626.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing PEDAL Program with Electrical Muscle Stimulation and PEDAL Program without Electrical Muscle Stimulation in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP), run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Timed Up and Go (time frame: Baseline to 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07173647, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Nov 2025.

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