Clinical and instrument-based assessment of balance, gait, and motor functions in pediatric cerebral palsy: A systematic review
Karibzhanova D. Jamwal P.K. Khawaja A.R. Kystaubayeva Z. Kapsalyamov A. Shakenov M. Agrawal S.
30 June 2025Cambridge University Press
Wearable Technologies
2025#6
Specialists globally employ various clinical scales and instruments to assess balance, gait, and motor functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Selecting appropriate assessment tools is essential for planning studies, developing effective treatment strategies, and tracking clinical outcomes. Given the diversity in assessment needs – whether evaluating dynamic, functional, or static balance – there is a need to identify the most suitable tools for each aspect. Therefore, the primary objective of this review is to critically analyze current clinical and instrument-based assessment methods in the literature to determine the most effective approaches for pediatric CP. This systematic review retrieved 1,812 papers, of which only 23 met the inclusion criteria and presented assessment methods for evaluating balance and motor functions in pediatric CP. These methods were further organized into clinical and instrument-based assessment groups. Among clinical examinations, the Pediatric Balance Scale and Gross Motor Function Measures were considered gold standards and featured in eight studies. In contrast, postural sway measured with the Biodex Balance System, Gait Stability Indices from the GAITRite system, and EMG sensing were the predominant instrument-based observations. Despite this variety, a consensus on the best assessment methods remains lacking. This review highlights the potential of integrating AI-driven metrics that combine clinical and instrument-based data to enhance precision and individualized care. Future research should focus on creating integrated, individualized profiles to better capture the unique capabilities of children with CP, enabling more personalized and effective intervention strategies.
biomechanics , embedded electronics , feedback devices , performance characterisation
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School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Family Medicine, Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics, Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Bielefeld, Germany
Department of Rehabilitation, National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
School of Medicine
School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
Department of Family Medicine
Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics
Department of Rehabilitation
Department of Mechanical Engineering
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